Trying to Take a Step Forward... Without Taking Two Steps Back
by David Getz on Apr 29, 2010 1:30 PM EDT
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The Washington Capitals did some amazing things this season. Fifty-four wins. More than 120 points. Seven twenty goal scorers. The top five players in League plus-minus. Far and away the best offense in the league, one of the NHL's better defensive squads, and a scoring differential of more than a goal a game. And yet the season, by the team's own standard, was a failure.
The obvious question is: Where does the team go from here?
To start, there needs to be complete acceptance of the reality that this postseason (and, by extension, this season) was a failure - and that that responsibility for that failure lies with the Capitals and the Capitals alone. At this point, there shouldn't be any excuses. No shrugging the shoulders and claiming the Capitals were the victim of a hot goaltender. No saying that the powerplay, two of the team's four top offensive players, and too many of the secondary players slumped at the same time. No blaming it on Tom Poti's injury (awful timing notwithstanding) or whatever other injuries come to light in tomorrow's breakdown day. No blaming it on bad bounces, bad ice, bad calls, or bad luck. The team isn't making any of these excuses, and as fans we shouldn't be making them on their behalf.
That's not to deny the challenges were there: Jaroslav Halak did play very well, there were the annual Verizon Center spring bounces to deal with, and slumps happen, often inexplicably. Rather, it's to say that using the challenges as excuses for the loss, and as rationale for going forward without making any significant chances is a strategy that would most likely land this team a similar situation next spring.
If that seems like a drastic conclusion to draw from one playoff series, it's because it's not a conclusion drawn from one playoff series - it's a conclusion drawn from watching this team play night in and night out for the past eighteen months, encompassing more than 180 regular season and playoff games. And while a matter of inches could mean the Capitals were gearing up for a second-round series with the Flyers, it wouldn't change some uncomfortable realities about this team.
This year's Capitals were taken to seven games in their opening series by an unquestionably less-talented team, just like last year's team. Bruce Boudreau kept giving significant ice time to favored, yet ineffective forwards, just he did last year. The penalty kill looked tentative and inept, just as it did last year; just as it did all season long. The Capitals failed to come out strong in their first game of the postseason, just as they did against New York last year, and failed to show the "killer instinct" needed to finish off an opponent they'd taken a significant series lead over, just as they did against Pittsburgh last spring. The team failed to initially adapt - to even make any effort to initially adapt - to their opponents defensive style of play, just as they did last year against New York. Mike Green looked worn out, just like he did last year, and after playing more than 25 minutes in six of his last ten regular season games (and going over 24 in the other two). Alex Ovechkin said he didn't "feel that power" in Game One, after getting big minutes and long shifts in unimportant games, just like last year.
Ultimately the only somewhat surprising problem the Capitals encountered in their first round series was their ineffective powerplay. Everything else astute fans could have seen - and did see - coming.
Plainly, some things are going to need to change if the Capitals are ever going to live up to their potential and seriously challenge for the Cup. The key is in not going overboard.
I'm sure many of our readers can share stories about ideas for extreme roster changes; overheard comments about how a half dozen of the team's better players need, need to be traded, demoted, waived, released, just replaced somehow, friends or family members insisting the Capitals pick up three or four high-priced free agents without regards to the team's depth chart, salary cap situation, or prospect pool, or that the Capitals need to swing trades that even an Xbox general manager would reject. Typically the conversations will include copious use of the phrase "crease-clearing defenseman."
The reality, however, is that the Capitals already have excellent personnel, perhaps the best in the NHL. Alex Ovechkin, Nicklas Backstrom, Mike Green, and Alexander Semin constitute a core any general manager would be happy to have. Jason Chimera, Eric Fehr, Jeff Schultz, Boyd Gordon, and David Steckel are all effective role players. John Carlson, Karl Alzner, Semyon Varlamov, Michal Neuvirth, Mathieu Perreault, and the rest of the Caps' prospect pool hold tons of untapped potential and give reason to believe the Caps will not only continue to be one of the NHL's best teams, but could be even better in coming years. That doesn't mean all of those players should be locks to be with the team next year (in fact, you could probably count the untouchable guys on one hand right now), but it does make it awfully hard to imagine the Capitals being better off for dealing guys out of frustration.
Thus, as usual, the most logical route lies somewhere between the rationale spouted by opposing sides who yell the loudest. To look at the Capitals - not just their results, but they way they've played; not just this season, but over the past couple of years - and claim they should be able to come back next year and be legitimate Cup contenders without any changes to personnel, behind the bench, or strategy is to delude yourself. At the same time, to look at the team and conclude that they're in need of a radical makeover - and that undertaking one is going to yield the kind of result the team wants, both short- and long-term - is just as delusional. The bad was painfully exposed in this series, but what was good before last night is still good. The Capitals still have everything they had going for them two weeks ago.
This team needs change, there's no doubt about that. But it's the kind that needs to be executed with a scalpel, not with a hacksaw.
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Green NEEDS to be traded. He’s not a winner. He’s not a hard worker. Same with Semin.
Keep Green. get rid of Corvo. We dont need 3 Offensive D (Green, Corvo, Carlson [giving him the benefit of the doubt])
Semin on the other hand…should stay. despite his lack of playoff performance, he’s vital to our teams dominance. Now fleischmann…..
I've often thought of becoming a golf club
I was disappointed when Sutton signed with OTT. I thought he would have been a great pick up on our blue line.
My God, did you just say that? Did you watch the Pens/Sens series? Sutton was a defensive liability when he was on the ice against any of the Pens’ top three lines. If you like Erskine, you’ll love Andy Sutton.
MTL and PIT are much faster than NYR.
Cидни Kросби: Александр Oвечкин, он твой папа теперь
Capitals Coming: for Capitals fans who can bear reading something less intelligent than a story at Japers' Rink
by red army line on Apr 29, 2010 4:26 PM EDT up reply actions
Ding ding ding!
We have a winner!
The entire British Empire was built on cups of tea, and if you think I'm going to war without one, you're mistaken.
Ramblin' on.
by Steck It Out on Apr 29, 2010 2:01 PM EDT up reply actions
Well, Sutton got schooled by Pittsburgh in the Ott-Pitt series. Multiple times. He’s awful and can take really dumb penalties at really bad times.
I get the same feeling. We’re stuck with him. But maybe in a good way if someone could get into his head and flip the switch.
"More Gary Thorne, please."
" if someone could get into his head and flip the switch." Feds couldn’t seem to do it. Ovi couldn’t do it either as captain. I don’t think anyone or anything will be able to flip a switch in his head. Except himself. Semin seems destined to be what he is, another super-talented Russian headcase. It’s up to him to prove us wrong.
That being said, I think his playoff disappearance is linked more to the lack of a legit 2C to balance the load. Semin has all the skills in the world and the hockey sense of a rabbit. I never have a good feeling watching him carry the puck into the zone (unless it’s a breakaway). Pairing him up with someone who can really make plays, keep up with him, and make up for his defensive lapses/boneheaded decisions.
by Gin and Tonic on Apr 29, 2010 2:40 PM EDT up reply actions
Yep. Its no surprise his best playoff performances were in year’s prior when Nicky was centering him.
Do you think that Backstrom should center Semin and Ovi should work with a 2C to be named later as a possible solution?
A real American hero...taking down Habs one game at a time
I think the lack of a 2C has more impact than some people think. If you don’t have a Center that can win an offensive draw a good chunk of the time, then you end up spending a lot of the shift chasing the cleared puck and trying to bring it back into the zone.
Also a lot of the success of the 2nd line (Laich putting home rebounds, Sasha getting good shots off) requires a 3rd player on the line to help draw off some pressure and allow Sasha and Laich time to get in position. Semin’s got skills, but not enough to go 1 on 3 like he spent much of the playoffs doing b/c Laich was heading to the net and there was no center for him to pass to so he could give Laich the time he needed to get in position.
LET'S GO CAPS!!!
Corvo’s a UFA, Green is still under contract.
Keep Green, for PP skills alone. He’s a still a top-4 Dman. Have him work more on his end of the ice in the offseason.
Unless of course someone makes an offer you can’t refuse.
by Gin and Tonic on Apr 29, 2010 2:29 PM EDT up reply actions
I don’t think that’s true on the work ethic for either.
To say someone needs to be traded is to imply addition by subtraction. And I don’t think you can make that case with the best offensive defenseman in the NHL or one of the league’s be offensive players (who also does well on defense and the penalty kill).
This is where analyzing players by stats is limited. The gaudy numbers by Green and Semin are undisputable, but in the playoffs sample size no longer matters. It isn’t about winning lots of games, it’s about winning the one game you have to.
by kman8924 on Apr 29, 2010 1:53 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I have mentioned the idea of trading Green. I’m not sold on it but I’m not sure that he can be considered untouchable at this point. His series was a failure of epic proportions. Is there a trade you’d be willing to make that involves Green?
Beards are the zenith of manliness. First, they are scratchy and unpleasant to womenfolk. Second, they look awesome. Third, if you have something tasty for lunch, you can enjoy the smell all the way until dinnertime. - RMNB
I’m getting frustrated with Green and Semin being lumped together right now as the “failures” of this playoff series, when there were distinct differences in how they failed.
IMO Green looked bad, undisciplined, lazy, and nervous. Which is very different than how he looked during the regular season. 2nd year in a row that we have seen a different Green show up come playoff time.
Semin, on the other hand, couldn’t get anything going, and that snowballed into him taking ridiculous shots and neglecting any sort of offensive zone passing. However, all of those adjectives I used on Green, I wouldn’t use on Semin. Despite, being absent from the score sheet, he wasn’t a detriment to the team. He still seemed to play solid defensively, didn’t take any bad penalties, and was still playing for the most part like regular season Semin.
I’m not sure what this means about who should be traded or who shouldn’t, but I just think there is a big different in the type of “bad” that each experienced during the season, and it’s important to make the distinction.
Green looked like he was trying to prove that he could be a tough, physical Dman in the playoffs. He tried to go for the big hit when he should have played the puck, or play the position.
Semin was lazy. If he couldn’t get anything going he should have adjusted his game.
If we trade either one, don’t forget we’ll get something in return.
by Gin and Tonic on Apr 29, 2010 2:59 PM EDT up reply actions
There is no such thing as “regular season Semin”. There is good Semin and bad Semin. He was much closer to bad Semin than good Semin this series. Maybe his poor play didn’t stand out as much as Green because of their roles, but he most definitely hurt the team. Not finishing on his chances (or really creating any chances with consistency) hurt the team just as much as Green’s fuck ups on D. And both were major players on the disgraceful PP performance that really sunk the team.
Both players were awful and deserve equal shares of the blame.
Of all our iniquities ignorance may be the worst
by Killer_Carlson on Apr 29, 2010 3:00 PM EDT up reply actions
Sure, they both did not do what they needed to, but I see a difference between not scoring not scoring while allowing the other team to score.
"Why don't you smegging well smeg off, you annoying little smeggy smegging smegger!"
But giving up goals was not the problem, it was scoring goals. Green wasn’t good defensively, but he also wasn’t horrendous outside of some really high profile mistakes. Semin steps up and scores a couple of goals then the Caps win even with Green’s poor play. Same applies to Green scoring in spite of Semin’s poor play, but Semin is relied on more heavily for offense.
And again, the biggest problem in the series was the PP, and both players are at fault for that.
Of all our iniquities ignorance may be the worst
by Killer_Carlson on Apr 29, 2010 3:13 PM EDT up reply actions
exactly. Green seemed like he was nervous and wanted to prove everyone wrong that said he wasn’t good enough, which ended up causing all the other stuff you mentioned.
Semin did a great job defensively, he just couldn’t seem to put the puck in the net. Looking at his stats, he had 4 PIMs in 7 playoff games, that’s about 1 minor penalty every 4 games. Whereas in the regular season he had 66 PIMs in 73 games, which is about 1 minor penalty every 2 games.
LET'S GO CAPS!!!
disagree, vehemently, on both of these.
Kung-fu Rink Rabbit
Donate to the Rink Pledge Drive for SAVES FOR KIDS, PLAYOFF EDITION!
Green: look how hard it is to find puck moving, powerplay quarterbacks. You need them on your team and Mike Green is one of them. It would be foolish to trade the best offensive defenseman in the league. I know I am not alone when I look at the success that Gonchar has had with the Pens and longed for him back despite how maligned he was for his defense.
Semin: second in GPG to Ovechkin the last two years. Look at AO’s production without Semin in the lineup (or struggling). Look at Crosby’s production without Malkin in the lineup. You need at least two elite scoring threats to be successful. Semin is our second one.
by Aaron Lerner on Apr 29, 2010 1:49 PM EDT up reply actions
I also think it is foolish to trade away the guy who is one of your superstar’s best friends on the team.
by Aaron Lerner on Apr 29, 2010 1:52 PM EDT up reply actions
We’d still be the top scoring team in the league without Semin’s goal.
I would wager that Ovi would trade his best friend for the Stanley Cup in a heartbeat.
by Gin and Tonic on Apr 29, 2010 2:53 PM EDT up reply actions
thank-you.
Just because we lost in a round that we shouldn’t have, doesnt mean that we need to go making incredibly rash decisions. Really people? yea lets trade the best PP quarterback in the league, and best offensive D.
Change is needed, but lets be realistic here
I've often thought of becoming a golf club
This offseason there’s got to be some fairly major changes if they want to win a cup next year, starting with getting rid of players like fleischmann. We’ve got a lot of forwards, especially with walker/belanger additions, and there’s 2-3 people scratched every night. so they should be dumping forwards, and some d (because Alzner is ready to come up next year) With the plethura of players, and dumping that is due, should open up some cap space for someone like volchenkov, or another stay at home D and/or a rock solid goalie (such as Vokoun). Get rid of joe corvo, we don’t need green/corvo/carlson(ill give him the benefit of the doubt here) as offensive D
Also looking at corey stillman could be an option.
I've often thought of becoming a golf club
Belanger and Walker are UFA. I wouldn’t count them among the forwards just yet. Though I would like to see Belanger back as 3C.
by Gin and Tonic on Apr 29, 2010 3:17 PM EDT up reply actions
Semin shouldn’t be mentioned in the same breath as Malkin – there is no comparison between the two. One is a Conn Smythe winner, the other is a playoff choker. But I do understand what Semin “could” bring to the team if he was consistent and would show up for the playoffs. The problem is I don’t see any 2Cs out there, free agent or in Hershey, who can help bring consistency to Semin’s game. Do you? And if we don’t upgrade the 2C, wouldn’t you expect Semin to be equally worthless next April?
What more can I say? This is what the Caps do every spring.
there is no comparison between the two. One is a Conn Smythe winner, the other is a playoff choker.
I think there is a very strong comparison to be made. Semin scored 7 more points in 6 more regular season games. Both play behind the league’s top player at his position (AO, Crosby). Both are tremendous scoring depth. Both play PP and PK (IIRC) minutes. Both can go on the top line to “load up” at a moment’s notice. Both have failed to produce or simply disappeared in about half their career playoff series.
Cидни Kросби: Александр Oвечкин, он твой папа теперь
Capitals Coming: for Capitals fans who can bear reading something less intelligent than a story at Japers' Rink
by red army line on Apr 29, 2010 4:32 PM EDT up reply actions
We had four of those puck moving, powerplay quarterback Dmen (Green, Poti, Carlson, Corvo) on our team. Canadiens had at least 2. I really don’t think they are in such short supply. The question is more about talent level and defensive ability during the other 90% of time they are in the ice.
Unless Green refocuses and recommits and proves that he is not – he is expendable.
by Gin and Tonic on Apr 29, 2010 3:03 PM EDT up reply actions
Short answer: Green is the best at what he does, maybe better than those other three combined. Carlson is good, Poti not as much as before, Corvo is UFA. Puck movers each year at the deadline are in short supply and high demand since teams generally want more offense.
Cидни Kросби: Александр Oвечкин, он твой папа теперь
Capitals Coming: for Capitals fans who can bear reading something less intelligent than a story at Japers' Rink
by red army line on Apr 29, 2010 4:34 PM EDT up reply actions
Anton Volchenkov
Is the answer. Lets go get him. He was incredible in the Pens series and fills the major hole we have in the D-corp.
by Aaron Lerner on Apr 29, 2010 1:57 PM EDT up reply actions
Please don’t do that. In Pittsburgh, we’re hoping he fills the void left by Gill/Scuderi.
Trust me, Volchenkov sucks. Sucks, I tell you. You do not want him. You do not want him. You want to resign Joe Corvo. Yes, you do.
by docciavelli on Apr 29, 2010 2:02 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Heh. What’s Pittsburgh’s cap situation looking like after this season?
The entire British Empire was built on cups of tea, and if you think I'm going to war without one, you're mistaken.
Ramblin' on.
by Steck It Out on Apr 29, 2010 2:03 PM EDT up reply actions
Yes we do. Yes we do. Yes we do. We need a shut down defender. And thats what we will get from him. Dont resign joe corvo. We have too many offensive D
I've often thought of becoming a golf club
I’d sign him just for the AV Club pun potential.
by Gin and Tonic on Apr 29, 2010 3:07 PM EDT up reply actions
I’d go after Hamhuis before Volchenkov. Anton is getting beat up too much and Dan would be cheaper.
I would keep Corvo if possible.
No thanks. I wasn’t a fan of that trade from the start. Did Corvo make his mark on this team by specifically helping them out on defense? No. We already had an offensive D-man in Green. I don’t know why GMGM thought Corvo would help out.
The entire British Empire was built on cups of tea, and if you think I'm going to war without one, you're mistaken.
Ramblin' on.
by Steck It Out on Apr 29, 2010 2:08 PM EDT up reply actions
True. But would you rather have a defensive minded D-man or a less-skilled Green?
The entire British Empire was built on cups of tea, and if you think I'm going to war without one, you're mistaken.
Ramblin' on.
by Steck It Out on Apr 29, 2010 2:13 PM EDT up reply actions
I don’t think we need to trade any of them. If both take lower paychecks )maybe not Green) we wil be fine.
Green-Schultz
Carlson-Alzner
Jurcina-Corvo
That is a pretty awesome D-Corps right there.
And that was the way season ended; not with a bang, but a whimper.
Well, Green can’t take a lower paycheck…Corvo wasn’t making that much this year, I don’t think it would be an issue to fit him in using that lineup.
Poti’s still here next year, though, isn’t he? And I’m guessing you think Morrisonn and Erskine are gone…possible.
I knew i was forgetting someone!!!
ShaMo! You can plug him in or keep him as number 7. Erskine should be gone because i think Sloan has become much better in most situations. But then again we may just drop both of them. I prayy Jurcina plays up to form, because those tandems are very, very awesome.
For some reason i thought green’s contract ended this year.
And that was the way season ended; not with a bang, but a whimper.
If I’m remembering right we’re on year 2 of 5 with Greenie. And I’m not convinced we bring back Juice, although I’d love it if we did.
It’s 2 of 4 (expires ‘11-’12, and hold RFA rights after that).
They're coming.
by Bald Pollack on Apr 29, 2010 2:31 PM EDT up reply actions
I don’t see why we dont.
Honestly, our Defensive situation is exactly like DMG said, more appropriate to take a scalpel to it than a hacksaw.
We’ve got the pieces, and i feel like picking up a big name defensive guy would be a bit redundant. It would be picking up another big contract, and could put Calznerson to 3rd or Green to 2nd. Both ridik prospects.
Maybe a quality 3rd line d-man would help, but i think we have that in either Shamo, Poti, or Juice
And that was the way season ended; not with a bang, but a whimper.
Oh, not advocating that at all. I like the guys we have – Carlson/Alzner will be a big upgrade over the course of the season.
I’m hoping we keep at least one of the 3 guys you mention for exactly that – quality 3rd line D.
with Erskine and Sloan still under contract, I don’t see room for juice. Particularly if we want to look at FA D for help.
I’d still take Volchenkov over Corvo.
The entire British Empire was built on cups of tea, and if you think I'm going to war without one, you're mistaken.
Ramblin' on.
by Steck It Out on Apr 29, 2010 2:23 PM EDT up reply actions
Ya know, because that violates the whole Collective Bargaining Agreement-thingy.
Pesky details.
2009-2010 Washington Capitals: Watery, with a smack of ham.
Does taking a home-town hit violate the CBA?
So taking lower pay violates the CBA? wouldnt that create escalating salaries that break the bank?
i am actually not too familiar with the legalities
And that was the way season ended; not with a bang, but a whimper.
You can’t restructure a signed contract a la the NFL.
That’s what it sounded like you were talking about to me.
2009-2010 Washington Capitals: Watery, with a smack of ham.
I didn’t mean renegotiations lol. i meant when he needs to be signed again
It's The Wait for Red October. Except rather than Sean Connery, Alex Baldwin, and Sam Neill, it's George McPhee, Bruce Boudreau, and Alex Ovechkin.
Not Tom Clancy, but Gary Bettman. Not the Soviet Kremlin, but. . .well. . . .yeah, the Soviet Kremlin
You can sign for a lower amount than you’re worth, but you can’t renegotiate your contract downward. If you’re signed for 5 years at $5M, and after the first year, you’re playing at a $3.5M level, you can’t rework your contract to lower your cap hit, you have to play out your remaining 4 years at the current rate (or they trade you to get rid of your salary).
I am a hockey fan first, and a Caps fan second.
by iwearstripes on Apr 29, 2010 11:53 PM EDT up reply actions
oh boy! so because green didnt show in the playoffs all of a sudden Corvo is more deserving of a spot on the caps than green. Green’s not going anywhere
I've often thought of becoming a golf club
The issue isn’t whether Green is better than Corvo, the issue is who is the better fit for the team. Green’s cap hit is huge, and while we have cap room at the moment, we also only have about half a roster signed for next year, and lots of RFAs that are going to need raises to stick around.
I am a hockey fan first, and a Caps fan second.
by iwearstripes on Apr 29, 2010 2:39 PM EDT up reply actions
There you go, injecting reason into the conversation.
;)
2009-2010 Washington Capitals: Watery, with a smack of ham.
I worked up a spreadsheet today with who we have signed, who we have in Hershey that I think will play here next year, and the UFAs and RFAs that we would potentially re-sign.
If guys get paid what I think they’ll get paid, we don’t exactly have an abundance of cap room if we plan on wading into the UFA market this summer.
I am a hockey fan first, and a Caps fan second.
by iwearstripes on Apr 29, 2010 3:43 PM EDT up reply actions
In no small part because Green is already under contract. Corvo is not.
by Gin and Tonic on Apr 29, 2010 3:10 PM EDT up reply actions
Corvo was insurance and an upgrade on Pothier. I had no problem with the trade.
I think the real issue was that we needed a different type of Dman, not just insurance or upgrade from what we had.
by Gin and Tonic on Apr 29, 2010 3:09 PM EDT up reply actions
And he gives us something else we lack. A Russian on defense.
by Gin and Tonic on Apr 29, 2010 3:05 PM EDT up reply actions
I may be reaching, but Volchenkov for the sake of communication between Varlamov in back and 8/28 up front is a luxury I don’t feel like paying for.
They're coming.
by Bald Pollack on Apr 29, 2010 3:19 PM EDT up reply actions
Call it an added bonus of a solid defensive defenseman who doesn’t hesitate to get rocked with a shot if its best for the team.
I am a hockey fan first, and a Caps fan second.
by iwearstripes on Apr 29, 2010 3:44 PM EDT up reply actions
He does, but if he’s blocking shots, he doesn’t have the puck. The best teams in the league have something in common – they all have the puck more than their opponents. PIT blocked a lot of shots last season and bully for them, but it’s not correlated with winning. DET didn’t block a lot of shots either last year or the year before, for example.
Only YOU can prevent idiots from commenting!
by Knee high to a duck on Apr 29, 2010 8:00 PM EDT up reply actions
We had the puck a whole hell of a lot in the last 2 games of this series for all the good that did us.
Everything ends badly...otherwise it wouldn't end.
by Davethecapsfan on Apr 29, 2010 8:29 PM EDT up reply actions
Volchenkov blocked a shitload of shots against the Pens, but the Senators still lost. Shot blocking is nice, but there are different ways to get it done. We didn’t lose that series because we didn’t block enough shots.
Only YOU can prevent idiots from commenting!
by Knee high to a duck on Apr 29, 2010 8:34 PM EDT up reply actions
That’s what I mean, we need players that will add to the core we have without filling holes we don’t really need filled. Find guys who cover the actual weaknesses you have, without losing any of your strengths.
Everything ends badly...otherwise it wouldn't end.
by Davethecapsfan on Apr 29, 2010 9:04 PM EDT up reply actions
We’ll strech that out after awhile. The weaknessess will be examined, rexamined, and examined once again.
The possilibities to fill those holes will probably be examined more than what errors we have.
We’ve got a long time to mess around with what we think the roster should be like. . .only hope GMGM makes some of the same moves that become consensus around these parts
And that was the way season ended; not with a bang, but a whimper.
I can’t argue too much with his moves this year. Aside from us not giving Alzner as much time as he probably should have had, most of the personnel moves were pretty good. The Nylander situation got resolved. We were able to essentially get Chimera for Clark and saved money in the doing. Corvo has been debated a lot, but was there other guys we would have preferred? Would we have been better sticking with Pothier? Getting Andy Sutton? Belanger was one of our better players in the series, besides the lack of offensive production. Walker I don’t think was used properly, but considering the price it was a good move by GMGM. Carlson was a revelation. Schultz seemed to finally show the potential they had in him all along.
Of course, his next moves will be even more heavily scrutinized. They’ll probably decide whether we move forward or tread water.
Everything ends badly...otherwise it wouldn't end.
by Davethecapsfan on Apr 29, 2010 9:20 PM EDT up reply actions
Considering price v. value…I’d have to say Belanger is at the top of my list if I was picking one to keep.
Everything ends badly...otherwise it wouldn't end.
by Davethecapsfan on Apr 29, 2010 9:35 PM EDT up reply actions
I think the rentals were all good pick ups. In the end i dont think they were what hurt us at all. Walker did his job rly well when he was on the ice. Corvo made a few gaffs here and there, but he looked really good up on the point i think. And Belanger. . .well that goes without saying. The man dominated the FO dot. He can work on his shot and he will need too. I think he makes for an amazing 3C
It's The Wait for Red October. Except rather than Sean Connery, Alex Baldwin, and Sam Neill, it's George McPhee, Bruce Boudreau, and Alex Ovechkin.
Not Tom Clancy, but Gary Bettman. Not the Soviet Kremlin, but. . .well. . . .yeah, the Soviet Kremlin
Green NEEDS to be traded. He’s not a winner. He’s not a hard worker. Same with Semin.
Such calm reasoning on your first post here.
They're coming.
by Bald Pollack on Apr 29, 2010 2:16 PM EDT up reply actions
Meh, give him a break.
It is only 1 day after “The Disaster”
And that was the way season ended; not with a bang, but a whimper.
Regardless, the research paper I’m working on that correlates avatarless profiles to out of the box opinions continues to grow.
They're coming.
by Bald Pollack on Apr 29, 2010 2:32 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
Hmm, i didn’t see the avatar or lack thereof.
When shit like this happens, seems like everyone and their cousin come out of the woodwork to input their opinion. Which, I can’t fault anyone for, I don’t know what the hell I would do as a diehard Caps fan without Japers’ Rink Therapy
And that was the way season ended; not with a bang, but a whimper.
If by, “out of the box” you mean, “straight out of Caps Insider.”
2009-2010 Washington Capitals: Watery, with a smack of ham.
For a few days, i feel like we should have some sympathy for those who are a little upset and looking for answers about why we just lost.
Entertain their ridiculous prospects and maybe refer them to the guidlines, but atleast try to educate them
And that was the way season ended; not with a bang, but a whimper.
So, riddle me this…we just lost three of the lowest scoring games of the season…We gave up barely more than two GPG…How is it our defense is taking so much heat here? Why are you calling for Green’s head on a platter? We’re blaming him for a couple of blown plays (compared to the many solid plays he and the rest did make) that led to our losing a series? Give me a break. Varly played well enough, too, subsequently. We’re lambasting the wrong guys, guys. Time to focus on what really lost this series for us…lack of team play. And that falls onto the coaches, mostly.
"More Gary Thorne, please."
by ZamMan on Apr 29, 2010 2:23 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
What about Gabby....?
Why on earth did it seem like he had a vendetta, or something to prove by continually shifting Semin? Did he just want him to score so bad he lost sight of what was at stake? (Rhetorically asking here)
I don’t think you bench a guy with Semin’s game-breaking ability, especially when he’s strong on D like he was this series.
Cидни Kросби: Александр Oвечкин, он твой папа теперь
Capitals Coming: for Capitals fans who can bear reading something less intelligent than a story at Japers' Rink
by red army line on Apr 29, 2010 4:37 PM EDT up reply actions
I don’t know if I’d say he was strong on D, but he wasn’t a total liability. He did have his moments of weak D, like last night when he was soft on the puck and turned it over along the boards instead of getting it out, which then led to MTL pressure and a penalty taken by the Caps.
Of all our iniquities ignorance may be the worst
by Killer_Carlson on Apr 29, 2010 4:46 PM EDT up reply actions
I dont think Hunts would be interested in an assistants job. If, however, Hunts is interested in the head coaching job that certainly changes things. I’m not a fan of letting BB go, but Hunts is a very good coach and an icon in this area. It would be hard to say no. This team lacks mental toughness and the ability to play with an edge – and Hunter could naturally address that problem.
What more can I say? This is what the Caps do every spring.
I don’t know. I’m not keen in bumping an OHL coach right up to NHL coach; an assistant’s job in the NHL > a coaching job in the OHL, I don’t care who you are. And if things don’t work out with BB, there’s someone who can step in who has head coaching experience and has gotten some NHL experience under his belt.
But I also don’t think it’s time to let Boudreau go. Yet.
Agree, Becca. But Bruce has got to make system adjustments in the off-season and show some game time tactical acumen beyond throwing the puck out there and letting them play. He needs to either bring someone on to the staff who can help in those regards or show he can do it with the team in place.
Oh, completely agree. I’m not letting him off the hook by any means – in fact I place a lot of blame on him for this, as much as I love him. Just saying replacing him with Huntsy would be a huuuuge step down in my mind, that’s all. Would love to see someone similar brought in as an advisor though.
Anyone know what Scott Stevens is up to? I forget if he’s been snapped up by the Devs or not…
His failure to use the “last change” is pretty ridiculous. I dare say that would’ve prolly saved this series.
Get Ovechkin on the ice without Gill? Much better shot of scoring
Get Semin out there against a fourth line? Much better way of getting him through a slump than throwing random lines together
And that was the way season ended; not with a bang, but a whimper.
Not necessarily – “last change” only works until the other team manages to get their guy back on the ice, does it not? After the faceoff is taken, you can bet if Gill isn’t out there and Ovechkin is there will be a pretty quick line change.
Not saying you’re completely wrong. I hate that Bruce NEVER uses line matching. As a habit, sure, don’t worry about it, but every once in a while it would have helped.
All things equal between to playoff teams, you take every advantage you are allowed. Forcing them to make a line change during game play is ever more preferred over during a stopage.
"More Gary Thorne, please."
Seems like BB didn’t try to make the game as easy as he could on his team, since he felt they could win out with the skill difference.
Cидни Kросби: Александр Oвечкин, он твой папа теперь
Capitals Coming: for Capitals fans who can bear reading something less intelligent than a story at Japers' Rink
by red army line on Apr 29, 2010 4:38 PM EDT up reply actions
If you play the line match-ups, by holding certain guys off the ice for a bit, you can put your guys on the ice when they really can’t put Gill on because he just played his shift. Also, face off plays are like pretty huge for this team, they can’t make that defensive change when you are still cycling in their zone.
With all the time we did spend in their zone, putting Ovie in against a lower tandem would lock that in until their clear
And that was the way season ended; not with a bang, but a whimper.
I’m not drinking the “let’s fire BB” Kool-Aid, either. But having Hunts in the front office/on the bench might be motivation for a coach. It might also piss BB off. Who knows what that will lead to. Hunts could become the heir apparent.
"More Gary Thorne, please."
BB doesn’t need to be fired, necessarily. But he does need someone that isn’t always willing to go along with his high-flying style. We need a defensive focus and grit on the coaching staff as much as we do on the ice.
by Gin and Tonic on Apr 29, 2010 3:12 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
So, when is the right time to let him go? Certainly not after he piles up 110 pts and 50+ wins again. I think now is the time to let Bruce go, because his slow reaction time to teams adjusting their games isn’t going to get any faster. That it took 7 games (and a bad injury) to put out his best lineup is an indictment of his coaching ability.
Some people die just a little.
In a majority of the playoff games under Bruce, they’ve looked bad. They’ve had their moments, but on the whole, they haven’t looked good. This is the fourth playoff series they’ve looked lost. How many more do we need to see? This isn’t a matter of waiting five months to get back at it. It’s 12 months. It’s intolerable.
I think BB is a good coach, but is his success here more a testament to him or to Hanlon’s ineptitude?
I think BB is a good coach, but is his success here more a testament to him or to Hanlon’s ineptitude?
Both. Bruce is a good coach, with a system that produces lots of goals and wins in the regs. But it’s either hubris or ignorance when it comes to adapting to what teams are doing to counteract our strengths in the second season.
Some people die just a little.
Agree. But he does need to be sent a message that he needs to adjust his coaching style and strategy – at least a bit.
by Gin and Tonic on Apr 29, 2010 3:15 PM EDT up reply actions
Caps Two Biggest Needs (in my mind)
2nd Line Center: As everybody knows, Brendan Morrison was not the answer and 2nd line center remains the question mark that it was before this season. The more I think about things, the more I realize Sasha’s goals either came from essentially what was a one man effort, or from shifts with people who aren’t his normal linemates. Perhaps this is part of the reason why he didn’t score in the playoffs; in a more defensive minded and tougher game, he simply could not do it himself.
The question is, who fills that void next year? Do you bring up Mattie Perrault or do you wade into the free agent pool?
Shut-Down, Defensive Minded Defensive: I realize that Alzner and Carlson are the future and they are both extremely talented, but even with them, the Capitals lack one. Think Hal Gill, Rob Scuderi, Anton Volchenkov (who I dearly hope the Caps pursue) — guys you put out there when you have somebody you want to stop from scoring. Jeff Schultz, as good of a year as he had, is not that player.
There is no need to blow up the defense corps. Let Alzner and Carlson be the top pair; take some of the minutes off of Greenie’s shoulders, keep Schultz and Poti around. Find one guy to fill that spot.
Goaltender, maybe? Unless you’re sold on Varlamov, which I think would be a huge mistake at this point. I don’t know that Theodore will be back for the Caps. I hear Marty Biron needs a job.
I wouldn’t look at a goalie. I think either Varlamov or Neuvirth can step up.
That said, if Florida were shopping Vokoun, I’d be calling them.
I think at some point the Rink (or myself :)) should take a look at the cap situation for next year and play out some scenarios. What kind of raises will Flash and Fehr get, how much money will be available, etc, so that we can speculate more realistically about who the Caps could/should/might get.
by Aaron Lerner on Apr 29, 2010 1:51 PM EDT up reply actions
I’m sure tey are way ahead of you… don’t forget, there is lots of off season that they have to fill with content.
Beards are the zenith of manliness. First, they are scratchy and unpleasant to womenfolk. Second, they look awesome. Third, if you have something tasty for lunch, you can enjoy the smell all the way until dinnertime. - RMNB
tough to do until the cap is set (its not set yet is it???). Plus there is speculation the cap may go down. . . maybe do it assuming a $500,000 drop in the cap, just for funzies.
Forget about finding your perfect match, I want a website where you can find your perfect arch-nemesis
by Lunatic Fringe on Apr 29, 2010 1:56 PM EDT up reply actions
I think most on the Rink are hoping for Flash to get his walking papers not a raise.
Backstrom and Schultz are due raises. Fehr too. Don’t think too many of the other RFAs can really considered to be due.
by Gin and Tonic on Apr 29, 2010 3:20 PM EDT up reply actions
I’ve been trying to find a silver lining all day. The only one I’ve come up with so far is that this result disaster may have slowed the upward trajectory that Backstom’s raise was on. Maybe we get him for the “hoped” for figure the Rink has been discussing instead of the higher value that his play since the Olympics seemed to be demanding.
BTW – I do realized that he didn’t perform poorly, but he didn’t shine like we’re used to either. No one did.
Women are angels. And when someone breaks our wings, we simply continue to fly ...on a broomstick. We're flexible like that (:
by MR Laughlin18 on Apr 29, 2010 3:47 PM EDT up reply actions
I don’t think we see Flash in a Caps sweater next year unless he is willing to wear it for a relative bargain.
I think Gordon (an RFA) would be due a modest raise if he’s back next year.
Putting Backstrom at $6-6.5M a year, we have ~$27M of a $56Mish cap tied up between Ovi, Semin, Backstrom, and Green. Plus another $8M for Knuble, Laich, and Poti.
I am a hockey fan first, and a Caps fan second.
by iwearstripes on Apr 29, 2010 3:50 PM EDT up reply actions
maybe let Varly and Neuvy play the regular season and give Varly every oppurtunity to turn into the goalie his potential suggests he can be. Simultaneously really start prepping Holtby for some time with the club. If at trade deadline GMGM needs to go get Vokoun (or whomever) so be it.
Forget about finding your perfect match, I want a website where you can find your perfect arch-nemesis
by Lunatic Fringe on Apr 29, 2010 1:54 PM EDT up reply actions
Thats the problem with deadline deals, and why I thought this years deadline was a really good one for GMGM. The deadline is the time to add the little piece to push you over, not the cog that will hold it all together. A goalie, is a cog, not a little piece.
Beards are the zenith of manliness. First, they are scratchy and unpleasant to womenfolk. Second, they look awesome. Third, if you have something tasty for lunch, you can enjoy the smell all the way until dinnertime. - RMNB
agreed, so all the more reason to let Varly become the man (if in fact he has it in him to do so).
Forget about finding your perfect match, I want a website where you can find your perfect arch-nemesis
by Lunatic Fringe on Apr 29, 2010 1:58 PM EDT up reply actions
I think we might want a veteran goalie as a backup in case Varly and/or Neuvy gets injured. It was needed this year, and Theo did a great job (playoffs excluded). It doesn’t have to be some big name, just someone to give Varly a day off every now and then, provide some extra mentorship on and off ice, and to be a safety net
LET'S GO CAPS!!!
took the words right outta my mouth. Maybe dealing flash/jose in an effort to get him.
I've often thought of becoming a golf club
So we’re going to deal a UFA and an RFA for a #1 goaltender.
Please put at least some thought into your posts.
2009-2010 Washington Capitals: Watery, with a smack of ham.
by D'ohboy on Apr 29, 2010 2:59 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
I agree on the Vokoun front, I’d happily give up Flash and a pick/prospect for him. However I do think that one of our young goalies can get it done.
by Aaron Lerner on Apr 29, 2010 1:50 PM EDT up reply actions
And FLA would gladly reject your offer out of hand.
2009-2010 Washington Capitals: Watery, with a smack of ham.
Flash is RFA. Not sure we can deal him until we sign him.
But I guess we can sign him and then deal him.
by Gin and Tonic on Apr 29, 2010 3:25 PM EDT up reply actions
Kessel got traded as an RFA. It can happen.
Cидни Kросби: Александр Oвечкин, он твой папа теперь
Capitals Coming: for Capitals fans who can bear reading something less intelligent than a story at Japers' Rink
by red army line on Apr 29, 2010 4:41 PM EDT up reply actions
You can trade the rights for a player, even if they’ll be a free agent on July 1.
Only YOU can prevent idiots from commenting!
by Knee high to a duck on Apr 29, 2010 8:02 PM EDT up reply actions
I think you get a veteran guy to help Varlavirth out.
The entire British Empire was built on cups of tea, and if you think I'm going to war without one, you're mistaken.
Ramblin' on.
by Steck It Out on Apr 29, 2010 2:05 PM EDT up reply actions
Lerner, you beat me to it
2nd Line Center: With the assumption that Semin isn’t going anywhere next year (at least), the answer becomes: who is his Backstrom? If you start feeding the guy instead of expecting him to construct the play AND shoot the puck, then he reaches 40-50 goals next year and is taking some of his “bad” intangibles (blind drop passes, forcing passes) out of the equation.
Shut down D: I’m actually less of a mind about this after reading some of D’ohboy’s posts about the reasons our defense is so porous. I think it has more to do with instilling a defensive ethic into the superstar scoring forwards (leaving wings like Flash out in the cold). It’s no accident that Datsyuk is up for the Selke every year and is STILL a top scoring forward.
With the assumption that Semin isn’t going anywhere next year (at least), the answer becomes: who is his Backstrom?
Did somebody call my name?
They're coming.
by Bald Pollack on Apr 29, 2010 2:43 PM EDT up reply actions
The Return of Mr. Circles!
The Cycle Continues…
by Whisp on Apr 29, 2010 2:44 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
The sad thing is, I actually wouldn’t mind him as a #2C if he only cost around $2.5m rather than $5m.
2009-2010 Washington Capitals: Watery, with a smack of ham.
Not me. Ever. Hell no. B-Mo got half that and despite his lack of production was still a better fit than ol’ Circles in this lineup.
Straight up, same salary, you’d take B-Mo over Nyls?
Maybe given BB’s system, I’d agree. But if that system were to go away. . . ?
2009-2010 Washington Capitals: Watery, with a smack of ham.
Maybe given BB’s system, I’d agree. But if that system were to go away. . . ?
Lord knows that thought was creeping into my head last night/this morning too, thanks for tossing it out there.
They're coming.
by Bald Pollack on Apr 29, 2010 3:21 PM EDT up reply actions
You said it perfectly. I thought our D actually played a solid game for most of our losses, its just they didn’t have the cushion of a four-goal scoring offense behind them.
Sure there were your typical defensive breakdowns that we always see from the Caps, but more necessarily then MTL, I don’t think so.
I think the only reason that we lost is that MTL was able to capitalize more effectively on the few chances we allowed.
proud 4th line advocate
resident master jinxer
What’s sad is that these are the 2 of the same needs we had last offseason.
by Gin and Tonic on Apr 29, 2010 3:21 PM EDT up reply actions
And during the season.
I feel like I’m a broken record when I kept on advocating for them to get a shut-down defenseman at the deadline instead of Corvo, Belanger, and Walker.
The Caps have an abundance of quality prospects — OVERPAY IF YOU HAVE TO!
Exactly. There wasn’t much on offer, seeing as the big “shutdown” defenseman that moved was Andy Sutton.
2009-2010 Washington Capitals: Watery, with a smack of ham.
Nothing personal to anyway here, but it drives me crazy when people bemoan the lack of a certain type of player without considering extremely important factors like, I dunno, availability of that type of player at the given time.
Calder Cup gon' get Perreaultwned
by jordanDC on Apr 29, 2010 4:00 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
(This is going to sound really dickish…)
I wasn’t aware that you worked in the front office of an NHL club that you know what players were available or not. Did anyone see the Phaneuf deal coming? Were there any rumors of that?
This is from the Flames SBN blog two days before he was dealt:
What the Flames do have, however, is defensemen. Lots of them. However, given that we know Darryl Sutter likes to collect extra rear guards at the deadline and probably won’t be moving any of the “big three” during the regular season (if ever), we can safely scratch Regehr, Phaneuf and Bouwmeester from the list. Giordano’s emergence and high value contract ensures he won’t be going anywhere either.
I think you’re arguing your own point. Jordan’s saying we shouldn’t make assumptions about what the team could or should have done without knowing who’s available at what price. You’re saying we don’t know what’s going on in the front office. Same thing.
His point was that there wasn’t that shut-down defenseman available. My point was that who the hell knows who’s available.
McPhee came out and said after the deadline that Corvo was the guy they wanted and the guy the best guy out there, and if that was true, he’s not doing a great job.
And read the papers and blogs after Phaneuf was dealt to the Leafs. Nobody saw that coming. There were some rumors in early January, but nobody expected it.
How exactly would a “shutdown” defenseman have helped our 1/32 Power Play?
Or improved the play of the second line?
Or helped us beat the trap?
Or do anything that, you know, might have actually helped us win the series?
2009-2010 Washington Capitals: Watery, with a smack of ham.
by D'ohboy on Apr 29, 2010 4:28 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
I’m not sure what this has to do with what I’m saying. My point is that this team cried out for a lot of things in this series, and a “shutdown defenseman” was definitely not at the top of the list.
2009-2010 Washington Capitals: Watery, with a smack of ham.
I was looking at the “deals we don’t know about” angle.
I agree that our lack of a ‘crease-clearing’ shutdown D was not the issue this time ‘round. We actually pretty much pwned the puck. Except when we didn’t.
It’s always tough to say what got bandied about. There’ll be scuttlebutt, but I think GMGM did his due diligence. We can quibble over Seidenberg or Leopold versus Corvo, but I’m not sure that makes any difference to the outcome of the series.
2009-2010 Washington Capitals: Watery, with a smack of ham.
His point was that there wasn’t that shut-down defenseman available. My point was that who the hell knows who’s available.
If you don’t know who’s available, how can you fault a GM for not getting someone?
Because this is what he said about Corvo:
“Corvo was the top defenseman available in our minds and we got him,” said Capitals GM George McPhee. "He plays a lot and in both ends of the rink. He defends well and kills and spends time on the penalty kill. He can also generate offense, which is the type of defenseman we like. He’s averages more time on the ice than Mike Green. He’s the one guy we liked a lot and we got him, so I’m happy with the results.’’
And to me, that means that McPhee was either talking out his ass, or he didn’t know what the team needed.
A shut-down defenseman would not have changed the inability of the Caps to score on the PP, but it may have meant that somebody could’ve played Plekanic a lot better than he was in the series.
I doubt he’s being straighforward here. Corvo came in literally at the last minute, IIRC, and rumor had it GMGM was looking at guys whose GMs ended up pulling out of the deal late (NSH, Hamhuis? OTT, Volchenkov?) or trading away the target (NYI, Sutton)
Cидни Kросби: Александр Oвечкин, он твой папа теперь
Capitals Coming: for Capitals fans who can bear reading something less intelligent than a story at Japers' Rink
by red army line on Apr 29, 2010 4:59 PM EDT up reply actions
McPhee was either talking out his ass
No, I’m pretty sure that’s what you’re doing at this point.
It sucks that the Caps lost. It sucks even more that the flaws in this team were visible from a ways away and likely rather fixable.
But trotting out the old “crease-clearing defenseman” trope is just lame, particularly when that wasn’t even close to being our #1 issue.
2009-2010 Washington Capitals: Watery, with a smack of ham.
by D'ohboy on Apr 29, 2010 5:00 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Right. The Caps biggest issue was clearly that they needed an agitator.
Of all our iniquities ignorance may be the worst
by Killer_Carlson on Apr 29, 2010 5:04 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
You have to be fucking with us now. I can’t imagine you seriously watched the series if you think that the lack of an agitator and shutdown D were the downfall of the Caps.
Of all our iniquities ignorance may be the worst
by Killer_Carlson on Apr 29, 2010 5:12 PM EDT up reply actions
An agitator who drove to the net, who made Halak uncomfortable, who got in the way, who was a pest? Yes, I think that would’ve helped.
We had plenty of guys driving the net and getting in Halak’s face. There was a scrum after the whistle half the time he covered it up. The Caps just couldn’t get their shots through the traffic ever, or the 3rd and 4th line guys didn’t have the hands to finish in those scrambles. The bottom 6 forwards weren’t the problem.
Of all our iniquities ignorance may be the worst
by Killer_Carlson on Apr 29, 2010 7:58 PM EDT up reply actions
No, a second-line center was. But McPhee didn’t get that either.
What I’m trying to say is that — as a non-Caps fan looking at this team — I saw areas where they needed help and they didn’t go out and fill those needs. And because this year and next are likely the two best opportunities for the Caps to win (due to contract issues).
What I’m trying to say is that — as a non-Caps fan looking at this team — I saw areas where they needed help and they didn’t go out and fill those needs.
But there’s not any reason to assume they could have done so without hurting their team in the long run. Sometimes the best course of action isn’t the ideal one.
I don’t understand. You can fault McPhee for not getting a shutdown guy because he got someone else? How does that suggest he didn’t know what the team needed or made a decision in deciding to pull the trigger on the Corvo deal?
I think it did. It meant no Sloan or Erskine in the lineup every night.
Cидни Kросби: Александр Oвечкин, он твой папа теперь
Capitals Coming: for Capitals fans who can bear reading something less intelligent than a story at Japers' Rink
by red army line on Apr 29, 2010 5:27 PM EDT up reply actions
Sorry, ignore that. Pothier had the same effect.
Cидни Kросби: Александр Oвечкин, он твой папа теперь
Capitals Coming: for Capitals fans who can bear reading something less intelligent than a story at Japers' Rink
by red army line on Apr 29, 2010 5:27 PM EDT up reply actions
Yes, but my point that Corvo gets lesser guys out wasn’t valid since Pothier also gets lesser guys out.
Cидни Kросби: Александр Oвечкин, он твой папа теперь
Capitals Coming: for Capitals fans who can bear reading something less intelligent than a story at Japers' Rink
by red army line on Apr 29, 2010 7:00 PM EDT up reply actions
And who are the “shutdown” defensemen in the league? Doughty, Weber, Keith…am I missing one? No one’s trading talent of that caliber. Or even the second-tier guys.
The Caps maintained some semblance of cap flexibility and gave it a crack with what they had and what they could reasonably add. It sucks a root that they failed so miserably, but at least they’re in position to make decisions, rather than have decisions made for them.
Assuming progress from Carlson/Alzner and also Schultz, i’m not too displeased with only minor tinkering with the defense. The 2C whole is a big one, and I’d like to see that addressed by trade, assuming the FA market is not going to provide a solution.
A good 2-way player in the 2C position and MP at 3C, with a new system and we’re talking about something to give the league fits in the playoffs.
"You want to start being part of the Rink? Fine, but more’s expected of you than John/Jane Cap Fan. Carry the cause of informed discussion to the unwashed masses and don’t crap in the yards of other SBN sites if you decide to go over there. They’re passionate about their teams too, no need to troll elsewhere and/or be a sore winner." --BP
and Keith isn’t exactly doing a good job at that shut-down thing in the first round.
Kung-fu Rink Rabbit
Donation info for SAVES FOR KIDS 2010!! Make a difference.
Suter is actually more the shutdown guy than Weber, from what I can tell.
Giordano is an excellent shutdown defenseman, as is JBo (even if he gets credit for being an offensive defenseman, which he isn’t).
Lidstrom for DET comes to mind, Hjalmersson for the ‘Hawks, there are plenty of guys that are ’shutdown’ defenders. But the point you’re making about availability absolutely stands – no one in that talent range is getting dealt at the trade deadline.
Only YOU can prevent idiots from commenting!
by Knee high to a duck on Apr 29, 2010 8:07 PM EDT up reply actions
Suter is actually more the shutdown guy than Weber, from what I can tell.
Correct on this front. Weber is obviously very, very good, but I trust Suter more to not make a boneheaded play.
On the Forecheck/Twitter/CLS
"What do you think this is? Major League Baseball?"- Shea Weber
by Chris Burton on Apr 29, 2010 9:23 PM EDT up reply actions
Youth.
Everything ends badly...otherwise it wouldn't end.
by Davethecapsfan on Apr 29, 2010 9:24 PM EDT up reply actions
What?
On the Forecheck/Twitter/CLS
"What do you think this is? Major League Baseball?"- Shea Weber
by Chris Burton on Apr 29, 2010 9:24 PM EDT up reply actions
Weber is still relatively young, and if we’re comparing the trust level in not making boneheaded plays I’d take whatever worries you have with him over ours with Green any day.
Everything ends badly...otherwise it wouldn't end.
by Davethecapsfan on Apr 29, 2010 9:30 PM EDT up reply actions
Weber and Suter are the same age.
Of all our iniquities ignorance may be the worst
by Killer_Carlson on Apr 29, 2010 9:36 PM EDT up reply actions
I didn’t mean that as a comparison of their ages, just a comment on Weber’s age. For a guy with the 2 way ability that Weber has he’s going to make his share of mistakes trying to figure out his balance. Do we not have the poster boy for this very thing playing 25 minutes a night? Weber is already further ahead than Green in this sense and he’s only going to get better.
I’m hoping the same is true of Green at this point.
Everything ends badly...otherwise it wouldn't end.
by Davethecapsfan on Apr 29, 2010 9:42 PM EDT up reply actions
Weber and Suter get nearly the same amount of TOI Green does, FWIW.
On the Forecheck/Twitter/CLS
"What do you think this is? Major League Baseball?"- Shea Weber
by Chris Burton on Apr 29, 2010 10:11 PM EDT up reply actions
It will be interesting to see next year what the D pairings look like, if Carlson and Alzner play together, and how many minutes a game those 2 start logging. I wonder if they don’t start Alzner out on the 3rd pairing and keep Carlson and Alzner together.
Everything ends badly...otherwise it wouldn't end.
by Davethecapsfan on Apr 29, 2010 10:14 PM EDT up reply actions
Well before his horrific playoff performance I didn’t think Green was behind Weber at all. I’ve made the argument before that I think Green is a better Dman than Weber. They both make mistakes and get out of position, but Green does it for offense and Weber does it to make a hit. The way Weber does it though is seen as more acceptable, so he doesn’t get called out on it.
Two straight shit shows in the playoffs for Green though and my argument doesn’t look as hot.
Of all our iniquities ignorance may be the worst
by Killer_Carlson on Apr 29, 2010 11:40 PM EDT up reply actions
this
On the Forecheck/Twitter/CLS
"What do you think this is? Major League Baseball?"- Shea Weber
by Chris Burton on Apr 29, 2010 10:09 PM EDT up reply actions
if we’re comparing the trust level in not making boneheaded plays I’d take whatever worries you have with him over ours with Green any day.
Obviously I would too. They have incredible poise.
On the Forecheck/Twitter/CLS
"What do you think this is? Major League Baseball?"- Shea Weber
by Chris Burton on Apr 29, 2010 10:10 PM EDT up reply actions
Well, people constantly say that only X were available, but that’s just what the hockey writers say. Nearly everyone is available. You just have to make an offer.
And of course I’m not talking about a Doughty or a Keith or any of those guys. What about Kaberle in Toronto? Yes, Burke was probably asking for a king’s ransom, but pay it! Or a Bruno Gervais in Long Island. Or Nick Schultz in Minnesota.
No, but he is a much better two-way player than anyone on the Caps, and would be their best all-around defenseman.
That’s a total joke. Kaberle is horrendous in his own end, even more so than Green and Corvo. There is a reason he doesn’t get any time on the PK, and it’s not because he’s a great two-way defenseman.
Of all our iniquities ignorance may be the worst
by Killer_Carlson on Apr 29, 2010 4:21 PM EDT up reply actions
No, it’s because they have better defensive defenseman available.
He wouldn’t be the best offensive defensman on the Caps (that’s Green) and he wouldn’t be the best defensive guy (that’d be Schultz). But he’s plays much better defense than Green and plays much better overall than Corvo (who is not a good player any more).
If you think Kaberle is better defensively than Green, I’d love some of what you’re smoking.
2009-2010 Washington Capitals: Watery, with a smack of ham.
by D'ohboy on Apr 29, 2010 4:48 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
I’m sorry, that just isn’t true. Kaberle is a total liability on D. He get 6 seconds of SHTOI per game. 6 seconds! Even guys like Exelby and Finger are getting 1:22 and 1:41 per game, respectively. If Kaberle were much better on D than Green he sure as shit would be getting 6 seconds on the PK while Exelby and Finger are logging significant time. Nor would he have the worst +/- on the team.
You must never watch Green outside of the playoffs, because I can’t possibly see how anyone would say Kaberle is as good defensively as Green, much less much better.
Of all our iniquities ignorance may be the worst
by Killer_Carlson on Apr 29, 2010 4:54 PM EDT up reply actions
Tom Poti plays the most minutes on the PK for the Caps and he’s not their best defensive player.
Kaberle is never going to be confused with Stevens or Langway, but he is respectable in his own end, much more so than Green.
I guess you can think but you want, but understand you’re in a minority of one or so.
Cидни Kросби: Александр Oвечкин, он твой папа теперь
Capitals Coming: for Capitals fans who can bear reading something less intelligent than a story at Japers' Rink
by red army line on Apr 29, 2010 5:02 PM EDT up reply actions
Kaberle’s ES BtN stats compared to other TOR D. His Corsi pales in comparison to Phaneuf, despite much easier competition and much better teammates, if I’m reading this right.
Cидни Kросби: Александр Oвечкин, он твой папа теперь
Capitals Coming: for Capitals fans who can bear reading something less intelligent than a story at Japers' Rink
by red army line on Apr 29, 2010 5:08 PM EDT up reply actions
Sadly enough, Poti is one of the Caps best defensive players, particularly even strength. But Green still gets time on the PK and isn’t bad on it.
Seriously, I’d love to see some shred of evidence that Kaberle is a better defensive player than Green, or even a good defensive player. His own coach doesn’t trust him on the PK. And seemingly every stat (BtN, GVT, player contribution etc.) points to Green being better at both ends of the ice.
Of all our iniquities ignorance may be the worst
by Killer_Carlson on Apr 29, 2010 5:10 PM EDT up reply actions
Bullshit. Kaberle isn’t as good as Mike Green in either zone and you’d have a paper sack over your head on his shifts.
On the Forecheck/Twitter/CLS
"What do you think this is? Major League Baseball?"- Shea Weber
by Chris Burton on Apr 29, 2010 4:28 PM EDT up reply actions
Even Pension Plan Puppets people say Kaberle sucks defensively. There’s a somewhat recent post titled something like “Kaberle’s Demise” (I’d pull up a link but Firefox is saying PPP search is broken for the moment).
Cидни Kросби: Александр Oвечкин, он твой папа теперь
Capitals Coming: for Capitals fans who can bear reading something less intelligent than a story at Japers' Rink
by red army line on Apr 29, 2010 4:45 PM EDT up reply actions
Do want a shutdown defenseman or do you want Kaberle? Because I assume you, the two are very different.
Love Schultz, but he isn’t going anywhere with the extension he signed and I don’t know he’s a good fit financially. Gervais isn’t a shutdown guy, based on what I’ve seen (though I reserved the right to be wrong).
Gervais is as much a shutdown guy as Kaberle.
2009-2010 Washington Capitals: Watery, with a smack of ham.
Gervais is still young (25) and I think can turn into a good two-way guy. Really, it’s difficult to find any positives for the Islanders other than Tavares and Streit at the moment.
One name that I would like to hear mentioned (I think he’s a UFA) Is Willie Mitchell, if he’s healthy. That is the only type of d-man they need to add. A captain type, leader, veteran on the blue line.
Willie played very well against the Caps, yes he did. But he got a dilly of a concussion later on. :(
I think with GMGM one has to read between the lines: the key word is “available.”T he unspoken part of his statement is what player(s) were on the other half of the trade or what prospect or key player was asked for in return.
At another point GMGM stated that he had a list of untouchables that included the goalies. I assumed at the time that the list also included Carlson and Alzner and perhaps players such as Fehr. Remember Fehr was worried that he was on the trade list.
In short, my point is that in any negotiation we simply don’t know who we would have had to give up in return. The trade price may well have been too rich for GMGM in some of these potential trades.
by capsyoungguns on Apr 29, 2010 7:26 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
OVERPAY IF YOU HAVE TO!
Let’s say they followed your advice. Let’s say they convinced Nashville to part with Hamhuis.
And the asking price was Carlson.
Did we come out better in that hypothetical trade? Did it make us any more likely to win the Cup?
Or did it just totally screw us for the next 5-10 years?
2009-2010 Washington Capitals: Watery, with a smack of ham.
In 5 years, there is still a great chance that you’ll be much further away from the cup than you are now. So, yes… overpay now for the chance to win. Worry about tomorrow tomorrow.
I wouldn’t trade Carlson for all the tea in China.
2009-2010 Washington Capitals: Watery, with a smack of ham.
Nor I. Carlson is now even more of an untouchable in my opinion.
by capsyoungguns on Apr 29, 2010 7:31 PM EDT up reply actions
I’m very glad the Caps didn’t take that approach. The series against Montreal showed that there were clearly more problems then the lack of a shutdown D.
Of all our iniquities ignorance may be the worst
by Killer_Carlson on Apr 29, 2010 4:23 PM EDT up reply actions
So you would’ve traded Carlson for Hamhuis?
This is like trading a 20 year old Shea Weber for Dennis Seidenberg. NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO.
On the Forecheck/Twitter/CLS
"What do you think this is? Major League Baseball?"- Shea Weber
by Chris Burton on Apr 29, 2010 4:30 PM EDT up reply actions
No, I wouldn’t have made that deal. But I would’ve traded Carlson if it meant getting a very good player in return.
Okay, my bad, but when D’oh asked you you didn’t deny it so I misunderstood.
On the Forecheck/Twitter/CLS
"What do you think this is? Major League Baseball?"- Shea Weber
by Chris Burton on Apr 29, 2010 4:34 PM EDT up reply actions
This is hard because you have to consider salary, age, and contract. And I don’t want to make some silly trade that you hear on sports radio (Carlson for Lidstrom!) because I hate that shit. Off the top of my head here are some defensive-minded guys that are an upgrade over what the Caps have right now, with the caveat that none are as good as Carlson will likely be, because that shouldn’t be the biggest issue:
Keith Ballard in Florida
Robidas in Dallas
Giordano in Calgary
Foster in Tampa
Dan Girardi in New York
I would have been furious if GMGM gave up Carlson for any of those guys, and I can almost guarantee none of them would have helped the Caps beat MTL.
Of all our iniquities ignorance may be the worst
by Killer_Carlson on Apr 29, 2010 4:55 PM EDT up reply actions
Though Killer_Robidas has a certain flair…
by EmilyB on Apr 29, 2010 4:56 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
Because you see the future of Carlson. And sometimes you can’t look at that because even though the Caps had the best record, they could’ve gotten better and improved their chances to win.
But there isn’t a guy on that list other than Ballard that I would take straight up over either Carlson or Alzner at this point. Right now. Today.
You’d be making the team worse in both the short and long run.
2009-2010 Washington Capitals: Watery, with a smack of ham.
Come on. A 20-year-old Carlson and a 21-year-old Alzner are not better NHL players right now than those guys.
Carlson was one of the top-2 D for the Caps in the playoffs.
And you’re damn right I look at the future. I’m not giving up a guy that looks like he’ll be a stud for a steady D-man who is very unlikely going to be the key piece that wins the team the Cup. That’s just piss poor asset management.
Of all our iniquities ignorance may be the worst
by Killer_Carlson on Apr 29, 2010 5:12 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
Make your case that any one of them, right now, is better than Carlson or Alzner. I could maybe buy Robidas, but the others?
2009-2010 Washington Capitals: Watery, with a smack of ham.
I don’t know how to respond to a comment where you’re telling me that Karl Alzner is a better defenseman than Ballard or Giordano or Foster.
My case is that they have better stats, have better ratings in advanced metrics, are more physically mature, and have more NHL experience. Add that up, and they’re all better players than those two RIGHT NOW.
Alzner we can’t really compare statistically, small sample size and his shuffling back and forth and all. While those guys have consistent NHL jobs, Alzner gets 2 games here, 4 games there, and so on. Can’t really get a clear picture of him like that.
Cидни Kросби: Александр Oвечкин, он твой папа теперь
Capitals Coming: for Capitals fans who can bear reading something less intelligent than a story at Japers' Rink
by red army line on Apr 29, 2010 7:02 PM EDT up reply actions
I had already excepted Ballard at the beginning of the thread.
Giordano has zero upside offensively. None. Foster is a PP specialist, which he won’t get to do for the Caps. Take away the PP, and you take away 90% of his production, and you’re left with a mediocre defenseman.
The only reason you’ve got counting stats is because those guys played in the N all year. Good for them – they play for crappy teams that have no back-end depth.
If you’ve got the BtN stats, show them.
2009-2010 Washington Capitals: Watery, with a smack of ham.
In my opinion, Giordano is the best player on that list and has a great contract. There’s no chance I’m giving up either KA27 or JC74 for either, though.
Only YOU can prevent idiots from commenting!
by Knee high to a duck on Apr 29, 2010 8:10 PM EDT up reply actions
You’re a much bigger Giordano fan than me. I think he’s a dime-a-dozen defenseman. He’s the kind of player a stupid GM pays a bunch of money for.
He’s Jeff Finger.
2009-2010 Washington Capitals: Watery, with a smack of ham.
I think he’s better than Jeff Finger.
He’s….Dennis Seidenberg Lite? IDK.
On the Forecheck/Twitter/CLS
"What do you think this is? Major League Baseball?"- Shea Weber
by Chris Burton on Apr 29, 2010 10:11 PM EDT up reply actions
You’re right in that he doesn’t have any offensive upside, but his relative +/- to the team ranks him 12th in the NHL and his defensive GVT (not the best stat, I know, but bear with me) is 15th in the league, well ahead of JBo, I might add.
He did play against weak competition 5v5, but he also played with far worse teammates than what his competition was. Even given his poor offensive upside, CGY still scored more goals with him on the ice than anyone other than Ian White, most of who’s stats were racked up in TOR. He was also a full half goal per 60 better than the next nearest CGY defenseman in goals allowed.
He’s not a superstar, but he had a great season and he’s certainly not Jeff Finger. I think. Next year will tell, especially if he gets tougher comp.
Only YOU can prevent idiots from commenting!
by Knee high to a duck on Apr 29, 2010 10:41 PM EDT up reply actions
getting Keith Ballard would be pretty bad ass. Except, i dont know what the asking price would be
And that was the way season ended; not with a bang, but a whimper.
Just ask Vokoun.
Of all our iniquities ignorance may be the worst
by Killer_Carlson on Apr 29, 2010 8:39 PM EDT up reply actions
Ballard – Salary Cap No Go: under contract through 2015 @ $4.2m/year
Robidas – Salary Cap No Go: under contract through 2014 @$3.3m/year
Giordano – wasn’t going anywhere
Foster – mildly interesting
Girardi – RFA, not going anywhere
The one guy (Ballard) on that list who would have been a clear upgrade was totally unavailable. Girardi is promising, but young. Foster/Giordano/Robidas aren’t really much of an upgrade over Corvo.
2009-2010 Washington Capitals: Watery, with a smack of ham.
Only one of these guys was ever discussed as being available.
On the Forecheck/Twitter/CLS
"What do you think this is? Major League Baseball?"- Shea Weber
by Chris Burton on Apr 29, 2010 5:04 PM EDT up reply actions
I think most of us here didn’t want to pull the trigger on the rumoured proposal of Pronger for one of Carlznerson, Neuvirth, and a high draft pick.
Cидни Kросби: Александр Oвечкин, он твой папа теперь
Capitals Coming: for Capitals fans who can bear reading something less intelligent than a story at Japers' Rink
by red army line on Apr 29, 2010 4:47 PM EDT up reply actions
and we still have all of the above, and Pronger’s into the second round. FIRST into the second round, I should add.
Or Coburn for Zhitnik.
Cидни Kросби: Александр Oвечкин, он твой папа теперь
Capitals Coming: for Capitals fans who can bear reading something less intelligent than a story at Japers' Rink
by red army line on Apr 29, 2010 4:46 PM EDT up reply actions
dude defense wasn’t even the problem with in this series. power play: 1-for-34! if we’d given up ANY of our future for a great “shut-down” D, we would’ve still lost and we’d have less of a future. sounds like the worst possible idea.
by Natty Bumppo on Apr 29, 2010 7:32 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
The obvious question is: Where does the team go from here?
The team and fans need to remember we’re just now entering a 2-3 year window of opportunity. A big failure is going to shine a spotlight where the problems are at.
It should be obvious that personnel changes behind the bench and on the bench are necessary. It won’t necessarily have to be huge changes — Boudreau needs to be on a short leash, he needs help from a veteran coach who is willing to be an assistant even if in name only. Green and Semin both need to be looked at. Flash needs to be gone. The rest of the FA juggling will happen and we’ll see what needs to be looked at afterward — chances are a 2C, backup goalie and someone to play with Corvo as they are the most glaring holes in the roster now. Fortunately, none of those positions really lost it this series. Coming in with the exact same roster won’t exactly prevent success.
The good news is that there is still plenty of time. It’s not like we’re the Devils or Hawks that are going to have some upheaval next year.
All the king's horses and all the king's men
Couldn't put Humpty together again
Look at the history of the Islanders and Oilers before their dynasty years. The Oilers followed a Stanley Cup final appearance with a first round exit to a greatly inferior team. That was a major failure (sound familiar?) due to lapses in discipline. The next year they were swept in the SCF and the year after began their dynasty.
No one remembers the failures that preceded the success. Let’s assess where we are, fix what is broken and move on.
by Gin and Tonic on Apr 29, 2010 3:41 PM EDT up reply actions
That was also pre-Salary Cap. You can’t afford to wait around until everyone gels anymore because by that time, they’re too expensive and you’ve got a new group of players.
I think this team has another good window next year with this group of players.
The year after that, they may still be contenders, but the names on the backs of the jerseys will be very different.
2009-2010 Washington Capitals: Watery, with a smack of ham.
I think this team will probably stay mostly the same for next year. Can’t see dropping more than 1 or 2 of the starters or adding anyone huge with our proximity to the cap.
Biggest landcape changes we’d see would be the result of a trade. Which, could absolutely happen, we really have no way of knowing.
And that was the way season ended; not with a bang, but a whimper.
You’ll never see the dominance of those team again, because of free agency.
When you can keep Gretzky, Messier, Kurri, Anderson, Coffey, Fuhr you can have a dominating run. They are all Hall of Famers or on the cusp of that. Ovechkin and Backstrom are looking good for that, but who else?
The Islanders, too, had too many amazing players. Trottier, Poitvin, Smith, Bossy, Gilles, Nystrom, Tonelli… You’re never going to see that collection of players on one team again.
lol
yeah after 2 trips to the postseason
And that was the way season ended; not with a bang, but a whimper.
Indeed. But it isnt like Leo to do something like that after like 2 or 3 seasons
And that was the way season ended; not with a bang, but a whimper.
Front office and coaching staff are distinct entities to me.
by Gin and Tonic on Apr 29, 2010 3:30 PM EDT up reply actions
Why did the team fail to adjust to Montreal’s style of play? It was clear from the outset that they would not be able to carry the puck through the neutral zone or get quality through from the points or wings. In game 2, they finally adjusted, started to dump the puck from the red line and establish a forecheck down low and a net presence in front. They turned the momentum and won. Then they stopped and went back to dangling and trying to make fancy plays. And they lost.
Clearly the blame for that has to lie on the coach, but you can’t help also sense that Ovie is simply stubborn. He believes he is the best player in the world and that he can do anything he wants on a rink. The team will win when he makes the transition that players like Yzerman and Modano made—going from being offense players to being defensive players with the ability to counterattack.
So the next coach is huge, whether that happens this summer or after next spring’s playoff failure. Someone needs to get Ovie to adapt. That may not be easy to do.
Why did they come out flat in Game 1 after seeing the other top seeds upset in their Games 1 the night before? Why did they come out flat in an elimination Game 5 on home ice? Why did they go almost 12 minutes in the first period last night without a shot on goal (by my rough estimate)?
I really have an issue with Bruce here (motivation; adjustments), and unfortunately Ovie should shoulder some of that (motivation). It looked like they had given up in parts of the 2nd period last night. I just don’t understand it. Any of it.
by CVDTerp on Apr 29, 2010 2:03 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
They had 4 excellent shots/chances in the first three minutes last night. Got quiet after that, though.
"More Gary Thorne, please."
They certainly did, but it seems as if the frustration took over too quickly. I can understand the frustration, but I don’t understand what I perceived to be some of them giving up. I didn’t see an urgency. It’s friggin’ sad. I know that’s not what they wanted, but it’s like they were helpless to do anything about it.
I also would like to hear more about how Ovechkin is training in the offseason and working on improving his game – than how many cars he buys and parties he attends in Moscow.
Boys, it’s time to grow up.
by Gin and Tonic on Apr 29, 2010 3:46 PM EDT up reply actions
Maybe he needs to actually lose some muscle mass.. he seemed to really wear out as the season went along.
Calder Cup gon' get Perreaultwned
TJ at Alex Ovetjkin thought AO got too big up top this season, and that even early on the extra weight was hampering his speed.
I agree. If you look at his rookie or sophomore season tapes, he’s a blur. Now he’s more like a charging buffalo. I don’t think it’s working, but what the fuck do I know.
Calder Cup gon' get Perreaultwned
I think the weight of the entire NHL, Russia, and Washington DC might have slowed him down… Hey sibling …. I feel for OVie …
The Farm report is DA Bomb... read it, rec it, love it ....
by TheFuryUnleashed on Apr 29, 2010 3:55 PM EDT up reply actions
I’ve played hockey. At his size, he really isn’t losing too much speed due to size.
He is a bit past the perfect ratio of upper body/lower body for his play style, and sacrificing a bit of strength for speed, but i think he is fine where he is right now.
And that was the way season ended; not with a bang, but a whimper.
;D
I’m sure tons of other have (or that may be your snark). I didn’t be to discredit anyone else. . .just trying to say i know what I am talking about.
1 thing though. Your post above about a blur vs. buffalo is kind of right.
He has lost a bit of agility and first step, but he can still burn almost anybody in the league. Part of his ability in his earlier years was, because, well, they were his earlier years. Everyone knows Ovie now. They’ve got the book on him, like they will have the book on Stamkos, like they have it on Crosby.
And that was the way season ended; not with a bang, but a whimper.
I had no problems with his offseason training. From the articles I read he is still tweaking things to see what the right combination is for strength, speed, stamina to carry him from the regular season through the playoffs in as good a shape as possible.
He doesn’t seem to party as much as people think, but the in the media it makes a better story. Last summer, most parties he was at seem to have been in honor of him, or promotional, or birthdays and other friend events. There were also a few family vacations. Sounds pretty tame for a guy of his youth and energy.
(Yes, I know about the avatar hounding - just pretend mine is invisible.)
But. . . Ovechkin is party now.
If wishes were horses, we'd all be eating steak.
by Hang a Laingtern on Your Problems on Apr 29, 2010 11:23 PM EDT up reply actions
NHL Home Ice
Speaking of Yzerman I heard on XM this evening about rumors picking up that he is one of three being looked at to fill the GM role in Tampa. Why he would ever leave Detroit is beyond me, especially to go to Tampa, but following the thought that he might consider leaving is there any enticement Ted could give him without squashing GMGM in the process? Kinda following the Fan Post ideas posted earlier? Can you imagine everyones benefit from him being here, especially Nicky and Ovi’s?
plagued by penguins fans at work
Yeah, I won’t stand for the “hot goal tender” talk. Game 6 was just a game, and the only one Halak truly stole. Anderson and Miller were just as good, and are next to the caps in the Loserville Resort.
Scalpel is right. BB also needs to better balance the lines, and we need to be stronger down the middle.
The bottom line:
The powerplay.
There is no bigger culprit in this series loss. You can point to Semin, you can point to Halak, you can point to the run-and-gun mantra, you can point to the trap or the lack of dump and chase… but the most inexcusable, unbelievable, and utterly backbreaking factor was our powerplay.
And the powerplay certainly wasn’t unlucky. I’m not sure it was even executed poorly. We had a conversation recently about it, and we came to the conclusion that because it excelled to such a degree during the season, it wasn’t practiced as much, or more importantly, wasn’t practiced in variation enough. They didn’t have a legitimate plan B (or plan A from what I could tell.) They kept going to the same well, but MTL had cut off the water. We needed to find another well, but we had no idea where to go.
And sadly, there is only one person to point at for the utter failing of the powerplay.
Sorry, Gabby.
by Bushwood Bushwhacker on Apr 29, 2010 2:06 PM EDT reply actions 3 recs
Agree. The difference between our regular season PP pace and the series result was 7 goals. Imagine what 7 goals would have done to this series….
Meh, the biggest problem was the first period.
Although in the end of the series we certainly picked up our game in the first, we still never scored and let MTL take the lead.
The commenced to drop 4 back in the defensive zone and play the waiting game. Letting them score first was pretty much the death knell. With the way they play defense, and Halak’s skill, breaking through a stacked blueline and the lane collapse defense they play is nearly impossible.
If Pittsburgh doesn’t score on them first in the majority of these games, they will lose.
And that was the way season ended; not with a bang, but a whimper.
Even if you let them score first, we’d inevitably get a few PP chances. If we score on 1/4 like we did during the season, we still come out ahead.
2009-2010 Washington Capitals: Watery, with a smack of ham.
there’s also something to be said for having two pp units to revolve, so that the pk and goalie don’t get used to the same guys every time doing the same things over and over. Once Mtl got a handle on the one caps unit, it became lights out. Just like Semins signature shot and Ovechkins signature move. Variety is the spice of life. The caps trend towards making it easy for other teams.
by The Jade Donkey on Apr 29, 2010 2:58 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
The coach simply should take a page out of Steve Jobs’ book and stop using Flash.
They're coming.
by Bald Pollack on Apr 29, 2010 2:14 PM EDT reply actions 5 recs
Boudreau must go
In this series there are two inarguable facts. We had the better talent, but Montreal was the better team. I hate to say it, but there’s only one thing that causes that to happen, and that’s coaching. We were flat out outcoached. BB did not, or more accurately could not, adjust to a very simple trap scheme, one that’s been defused before so often it’s not in vogue anymore. He couldn’t realize that when you’re being forced into low-quality shots, more of the same is not the answer.
Looking at the world of sports, is it mere coincidence that the same day the most-talented hockey team in the world was beaten by superior coaching, the best assemblage of soccer talent in the world (Barcelona) was knocked out of the Champions League by a superior coach (Mourinho)? Soccer management realizes that tactics and discipline beats raw talent 9 times out of 10.
Ted Leonsis said on his blog today: “I believe our hockey IQ seemed low this series and we didn’t adjust well on the ice to the new schemes coming our way.” Exactly. As a true Capitals fan, I hope this means that we’re going to get a savvy, playoff-tested-and-proven coach who will understand that the first 82 games mean absolutely nothing, and that the Stanley Cup isn’t just everything, it’s the only thing.
Interesting comparison to soccer, i like it.
That being said, BB did show a bit of incompetence this play-off series, but how much of it is the players not doing what their told, and BB not coaching? Although, him not using the last change irked me to no end.
What if Babcock left TOR and came to WSH?
And that was the way season ended; not with a bang, but a whimper.
how much of it is the players not doing what their told, and BB not coaching?
You can’t fire all the players, so either way this comes down to coaching.
What if Babcock left TOR and came to WSH?
Babcock is in Detroit.
2009-2010 Washington Capitals: Watery, with a smack of ham.
babcock is in Detroit. Like few caps players, BB is looking like a one trick pony. He’s married to his system, but it isn’t working; infact, the only playoff results so far have been consistent embarrassment.
That being said, you aren’t going to win any dump and chase schemes with Flash, Semin and BMo going into the corners. There’s only one physical player in the top 6 and he opts not to be when in elimination games. How many wrap arounds did we see last night? What’s the point of having slick skating offensive blueliners if no one is going to kick the puck back and screen? Why spend time practicing deflections if mtl just collapses everyone around the goalie? Why not play zn uptempo physical game against a smaller, weaker team? Walker was more suited towards a more physical team, BB said. Really? Not a team full of guys his size that would rather not be hit? So Flash can stay in with loads of minutes over fehr who was actually elevating his game?
In the end, some guys don’t have an extra gear, and they were already at peak production during the reg season. Maybe BB is like that too.
by The Jade Donkey on Apr 29, 2010 3:10 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I can see BB’s weaknesses as well, and he has to shoulder a lot of the PP blame. Allocation of minutes and the lack of a response to the let’s shut down and block all those lasers from the point have to go to BB in part.
I’m not ready to give up on BB yet. What’s his buddy Craig Anderson’s situation, like? Would he have any value as a high priced assistant on BB’s staff? [This is a far out brainstorm from someone looking for input from the more informed.]
A real American hero...taking down Habs one game at a time
John Anderson :)
Kung-fu Rink Rabbit
Donate to the Rink Pledge Drive for SAVES FOR KIDS, PLAYOFF EDITION!
Yeah, it was late. Sorry about that. I don’t know who on the Caps is a one-trick pony? Semin? Poti? Ovechkin? Flash, even? I don’t think any player in the NHL is a one-trick pony.
If you think the Capitals were operating at their full potential, i dont know what you were watching. They were letting the Canadiens run the tempo, and they could do that because they often scored first, and often put us behind the 8-ball. Once that happend, they played crazy defensive hockey. FFS, they stacked it infront of the net as a strategy. They were content with winning 1-0. It’s bitch hockey. That being said, Bruce should have done something. I don’t know what the fuck he was doing changing up the lines in game 5( i think), and his inability to control match-ups with home ice advantage killed us.
Not getting the locker room fired up for game 1 was probably the biggest sin he comitted. . .but, in the end, i dont think any of this is going to get him fired.
And that was the way season ended; not with a bang, but a whimper.
Wilson is in Toronto. I’d rather not see him in Washington for now, as a head coach at least.
Cидни Kросби: Александр Oвечкин, он твой папа теперь
Capitals Coming: for Capitals fans who can bear reading something less intelligent than a story at Japers' Rink
by red army line on Apr 29, 2010 4:49 PM EDT up reply actions
Nice Writeup DMG
i would add that i dont think you can underestimate the value of having guys who have been there and done that. guerin/kunitz in pittsburgh; gill, gionta, gomez, moen with the habs. sure we have knubs, but thats it.
ov is a great leader on the ice, but he clearly hasnt been able to translate his leadership and talent into playoff success. maybe it’s because he didnt grow up in canada. maybe its the language thing…dont know. i do know that when the team considers its moves, having a few rings would be good qualities to look for.
also, it’s great the team has been patient and not made stupid xbox trades at the expense of long term success. and calder cups are nice, but not the prize. we have lots of assets, many of which we will never employ due to log jams with the big club. time to start investing those assets into guys we can use now. for example we going to let neuvy sit as a backup next year or do we turn him into something useful now?
Just trying to capture the spirit of the thing...
we going to let neuvy sit as a backup next year or do we turn him into something useful now?
Keep him. Too early to say which goalie will be better, and goaltending prospects historically haven’t fetched much.
Bet the Leafs wish they could have a do-over on the Tuukka Rask – for – Andrew Raycroft trade.
“We’re good. We’ve got Pogge!”
2009-2010 Washington Capitals: Watery, with a smack of ham.
Imagine if we had moved Semin to Toronto for the same package (or anything remotely similar) that they gave up for Kessel. An interesting scenario.
Everything ends badly...otherwise it wouldn't end.
by Davethecapsfan on Apr 29, 2010 9:05 PM EDT up reply actions
Indeed. . .that would be.
BUt then again, we didn’t know our identity as a team back then.
Now, the team KNOWS what kind of team they are. They know what they need, and they will do their best to address it.
Honestly, I couldn’t see this team getting any better a few months ago. Sure some holes, but i didn’t think we could get as much as we gave as far as team talent went.
That being said, we have a surplus of talent, some cap space, and some apparent holes. This team is going to get better. and damn, they are gonna be really good
And that was the way season ended; not with a bang, but a whimper.
That’s one reason why I feel like this loss doesn’t hurt as bad as last year’s. We didn’t know exactly what we had then, we do now. It’s been a couple years now with the top prospects, and the future looks very bright for guys like Backstrom and Carlson. It’s at least pretty shiny for Varlamov and Alzner. We collapsed, but we’ve already reached the pinnacle of what you can do in the regular season, and we’ve had 28 games of playoff experience for a lot of these guys to know which ones are a surplus that can be moved or dropped so we can pick up others who fill deficiencies.
Everything ends badly...otherwise it wouldn't end.
by Davethecapsfan on Apr 29, 2010 9:24 PM EDT up reply actions
I keep using that 05-06 Bears team as an example of having the right personnel for Bruce’s system. Tons of NHL talent (Laich, Fehr, Steckel, Fleischmann, Gordon, Bourque, Green), but it was complimented by grit and experience/character (Mink, Beech, Nycholat, Kane, Arsene). That team was fast and physical and could light the lamp, seemingly at will. Even Green played a differently then (I’m sure some Bears fans can see that he’s become riskier since he’s become a “star”). They were a team whose style was built for the playoffs AND Bruce’s system. This Caps team lacked that grit and determination. If you go as far as a roster shake-up, I think you need to use that Hershey team as the model and get grittier (a Jarome Iginla-type as a 2nd line center would go a long way towards that), but I don’t think it takes more than 2 or 3 subtle moves to get there and I’m not sure it requires trading off big-name talent.
Jarome Iginla-type as a 2nd line center
Iginla is a wing and definitely a first-line player.
Replace “Iginla” with “Dubinsky” and you might have something.
2009-2010 Washington Capitals: Watery, with a smack of ham.
Well, you can have him.
I do not want a power forward on the wrong side of 30 when we’re already loaded with talented wingers.
2009-2010 Washington Capitals: Watery, with a smack of ham.
by D'ohboy on Apr 29, 2010 3:11 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
Gmgm is not going to do anything we suggest, ever. That said, Id bring Hunter in as asst coach. That way, if you ever fire BB (he’s got one more shot in the playoffs and that’s all) he can step right in. Mark my words, if the caps don’t get Dale first, someone else will and we’ll regret it. He’d make a better asst than Evason and Woods combined.
by The Jade Donkey on Apr 29, 2010 2:49 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
He picked up Knuble a few months after I suggested it.
/not suggesting causation/
2009-2010 Washington Capitals: Watery, with a smack of ham.
J.P. suggested BMo would be a good signing for the Caps to make a few days before GMGM made the signing.
Cидни Kросби: Александр Oвечкин, он твой папа теперь
Capitals Coming: for Capitals fans who can bear reading something less intelligent than a story at Japers' Rink
by red army line on Apr 29, 2010 4:51 PM EDT up reply actions
For those of you keeping score at home, so far the Caps should:
-trade Green
-trade Semin
-keep Semin
-keep Green, get rid of Corvo
-get Corey Stillman
-get Andy Sutton
-get a second line center
-sign Volchenkov
-sign Hamhuis
-Get rid of Boudreau
-Hire Dale Hunter
-sign a shutdown defenseman
-trade Flash and Theo for Vokoun
-bring back Nylander
-bring in veteran coach to be Bruce’s assistant, to possibly replace him and get Ovi in line
-hire Mike Babcock
-trade for Jarome Iginla
-trade for Dubinsky
I think we should trade Green to Calgary for Iginla, then trade Semin to Edmonton for Hemsky, then trade Iginla for Vokoun and Trade Hemsky for Savard, then trade Savard for Green and Vokoun for Semin.
2009-2010 Washington Capitals: Watery, with a smack of ham.
by D'ohboy on Apr 29, 2010 3:28 PM EDT up reply actions 4 recs
Has Boudreau ever shown any inclination, even the slightest bit, to change the way he does things? The problems they had this year were the problems they had last year.
He’s not going to change.
He’s a problem.
I doubt Ted and GM fire him. But they ought to.
As for personnel, I will agree that minor upgrading is in order, ratther than drastic changes.
"You want to start being part of the Rink? Fine, but more’s expected of you than John/Jane Cap Fan. Carry the cause of informed discussion to the unwashed masses and don’t crap in the yards of other SBN sites if you decide to go over there. They’re passionate about their teams too, no need to troll elsewhere and/or be a sore winner." --BP
Don’t think Ted is thinking about axing Bruce?
Low hockey IQ?
No adjustments to new schemes?
Sounds like he’s as frustrated with BB as we are.
2009-2010 Washington Capitals: Watery, with a smack of ham.
Hoooooooo, baby. Now that’s music to my ears. Evidently the boss man was watching the same series I was, becuase that’s completely in accord with my thoughts.
Thanks for linking that.
"You want to start being part of the Rink? Fine, but more’s expected of you than John/Jane Cap Fan. Carry the cause of informed discussion to the unwashed masses and don’t crap in the yards of other SBN sites if you decide to go over there. They’re passionate about their teams too, no need to troll elsewhere and/or be a sore winner." --BP
And Leonsis is generally very positive and very protective of his guys.
I’d still be surprised if Boudreau goes, but I also think Ted’s unhappy for the same reasons we are.
Because even a blind man could see that we were out-coached for the third playoff series in a row?
2009-2010 Washington Capitals: Watery, with a smack of ham.
Basically. I think Leonsis learned his lesson about getting too involved in the hockey operations aspect of things, but I think he was sitting there last night going, “I’m no expert, but even I can tell this is crap.”
I have to imagine that GMGM was likewise frustrated but, true to form, didn’t comment publicly.
In particular, I would surmise that he was steamed about the lack of playing time for Scotty Walker.
2009-2010 Washington Capitals: Watery, with a smack of ham.
I would guess.
Flesichmann got 113 shifts this postseason. Walker got nine. Can that possibly make sense to anyone other than Bruce Boudreau?
by David Getz on Apr 29, 2010 3:42 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
we overpaid for walker, corvo and belanger because they didnt help us win the cup. thats the way it goes w/ deadline deals. at least we got juice for free.
Just trying to capture the spirit of the thing...
by dcsportsfan1 on Apr 29, 2010 3:47 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
At this point, the only thing I’m bummed about losing are those 2nd round picks
2009-2010 Washington Capitals: Watery, with a smack of ham.
Yeah. Maybe we can get some shittier team’s 2nd round picks for Flash, though.
Calder Cup gon' get Perreaultwned
Possibly, but then you just traded Flash for renting Belanger.
Meh. I’m ok with that.
2009-2010 Washington Capitals: Watery, with a smack of ham.
I really just want him off the team at this point. There was no excuse for his disappearing act this year, and if he’s not going to contribute down the stretch and in the playoffs, why the hell would we want to keep him?
Calder Cup gon' get Perreaultwned
yesterday someone linked the WaPo postmortem of Game Seven from last year. Can you guess the Cap pictured in the article?
Definitely Flash.
I saw this headline on the Washington Post, and the I thought to myself, “Oh, God, he’s gotten to Steve Jobs, too!”
Apple’s CEO has a few head-scratching moments in his “Thoughts on Flash.”
If wishes were horses, we'd all be eating steak.
by Hang a Laingtern on Your Problems on Apr 29, 2010 5:52 PM EDT up reply actions
honestly, i’m not. we’ve had tons of second round picks and outside of neuvirth, they havent helped us do squat. in fact, the best second round pick we had besides neuvy has to be ted ruth, who turned into feds.
i’m happy to part with them if we can bring in guys to help us now. didnt work this year, but you have to try.
i dont think any second round picks are going to crack this squad in the next 4-5 years. maybe i’m wrong but its time to cash in some of our assets.
Just trying to capture the spirit of the thing...
by dcsportsfan1 on Apr 29, 2010 3:55 PM EDT up reply actions
Just because the one’s we’ve taken haven’t panned out yet doesn’t mean that future ones won’t.
Are you really more busted up about losing Pothier?
2009-2010 Washington Capitals: Watery, with a smack of ham.
well, historically second rounders take longer to get to the NHL and far fewer of them do. where this team is, i’d rather have guys who can help now vs. draft picks that may or may not pan out, and if they do, it will be 3-4 years later.
and pothier was gone this year anyway. would he have done better than corvo? dont know. corvo wasnt the problem in this series.
Just trying to capture the spirit of the thing...
by dcsportsfan1 on Apr 29, 2010 4:13 PM EDT up reply actions
There is the possibility that Bruce never imagined they weren’t going to win the series and he figured a fresh Walker would be more valuable in the Philly series. Or maybe he just loves Flash.
I think this is a serious part of the Scotty Walker logic. Remember he lost Walker due to injury, proably in a scrap later on in the year. He thought he would need him against the Flyers and may have worried about how much gas there was left in that tank or how many bouts with Carcillo he could sustain. Instead, too late he realizes that Good Flash will not be making an appearance in this series and that he now looks like a buffoon due to mismanagement of resources.
A real American hero...taking down Habs one game at a time
That’s the thought process behind Fehr getting so little ice time coming off of several injuries. If Walker being held in reserve is the logic, I can understand why Flash was in/gets so much more ice time.
All the king's horses and all the king's men
Couldn't put Humpty together again
That’s the thought process behind Fehr getting so little ice time coming off of several injuries.
Eric Fehr’s shoulder surgeries are now almost a year ago. If he wasn’t getting ice time, it wasn’t because of that.
2009-2010 Washington Capitals: Watery, with a smack of ham.
Yeah, it’s hard to buy it when the guy is playing his absolute heart out AND producing. Especially defensively — he was a bit cringeworthy at times but it began to feel like no one was going to score if he was out there slowing things for the other team.
I really hope the front office recognizes why Fehr shouldn’t ever leave the team and Flash should be shopped. It’s going to go all Nylander if Flash gets kept around.
All the king's horses and all the king's men
Couldn't put Humpty together again
and, on top of that, Fehr is becoming quite a pest. There’s nothing not to love about his play.
ITH THO MADDENING
totally wasting this joke, should have saved it for next year
All the king's horses and all the king's men
Couldn't put Humpty together again
by sydtron on Apr 29, 2010 6:30 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
So rec’d. It’s never a bad time for a good Venture Bros. reference.
Of all our iniquities ignorance may be the worst
by Killer_Carlson on Apr 29, 2010 8:01 PM EDT up reply actions
These last couple of paragraphs in the Fanhouse article has me thinking just that ( http://nhl.fanhouse.com/2010/04/29/capitals-look-inward-after-first-round-collapse/ )
Boudreau didn’t commit to wholesale changes, but he expects some free agents — a list that includes goalie Jose Theodore along with forwards Brendan Morrison and Eric Belanger — may not be back next season. He also didn’t think anything needed to be altered in his style of play, despite falling to advance past the first round for the second time in three seasons.
“It doesn’t validate anything,” Boudreau said. “This is the way we are built. If we had to make all these guys into checkers and play a trap game, I think it would have been a pretty boring team to watch and we wouldn’t have been anywhere near successful as we were.”
I realize that it is 15 minutes after a devastating loss, but those comments just reinforce what we’ve seen in the lack of adjustments. Also his I would have bet my house the we would score more, that the powerplay would break through, that Semin would breakthough. Fans can wish and hope, coaches need to do something when its not working.
While I agree that the loss doesn’t invalidate the system as a whole, when things go the way they’ve gone the past 2 post-seasons, you have to be willing to admit that change might be necessary. I was pleasantly surprised by Ted’s views this morning and so the wait begins as to whose words mean more.
I’m not necessarily in the definitely fire Bruce brigade, but I can’t say I would be too upset if he were gone (level of upset depending on who the replacement is). I’d like to think that maybe keeping BB and bringing in a new asst. with fresh eyes and an independent voice would be possible, but it all comes down to how willing BB is to listen and relinquish some control. I would like him to make the necessary adjustments rather than stubbornly defend a system that has flaws and to date, I haven’t seen that willingness in the short-term, or long-term..
The thing that BB doesn’t get is that we don’t need to trap. Detroit doesn’t trap. Pittsburgh doesn’t trap. Chicago doesn’t trap.
We just need to be smarter with our aggression.
2009-2010 Washington Capitals: Watery, with a smack of ham.
by D'ohboy on Apr 29, 2010 3:47 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Exactly. I really hope that BB knows how much of a straw man that is that he threw out there. If he doesn’t it justifies a whole lot of my concerns.
Of all our iniquities ignorance may be the worst
by Killer_Carlson on Apr 29, 2010 3:49 PM EDT up reply actions
I agree. He seems to react to the over-the-top “Caps can’t play defense, they’re just run and gun stuff” and uses that as an excuse dismiss valid criticism of flaws in the system, or execution of the system. My non-expert view would be that a smart coach needs to acknowledge that there isn’t only one way and small adjustments could make a big difference.
They didn’t do bad defensively, so the trap wouldn’t have helped. The problem is that they didn’t score goals!
Calder Cup gon' get Perreaultwned
I can’t help but think it would’ve allowed them to counterattack MTL’s rushes better, and with the talent disparity the Caps would be more efficient on those rare counterattacking rushes and score more than MTL.
Cидни Kросби: Александр Oвечкин, он твой папа теперь
Capitals Coming: for Capitals fans who can bear reading something less intelligent than a story at Japers' Rink
by red army line on Apr 29, 2010 4:55 PM EDT up reply actions
Everybody needs to stop thinking/hoping that Bruce gets fired. If we’ve learned anything from Ted and George, it’s that they’re very patient people who never make knee-jerk responses. That doesn’t mean that Ted isn’t going to read the riot act to George, who in turn will do the same to Bruce, but they’re not firing the guy who just led the team to best regular season in history no matter what happened in the playoffs. Bruce will be on a short leash next season and, if the team doesn’t perform to expectations, I could see McPhee pulling a Therion and firing him in January. Short of that, Bruce will be coaching this team next October. Bank on it.
I certainly have and there’s nothing there that even gave me an inkling he was thinking of firing Boudreau. Ain’t happening.
When the owner says that the team’s hockey IQ looked poor and that they didn’t adjust to schemes. . .
That’s coaching.
2009-2010 Washington Capitals: Watery, with a smack of ham.
So that means he’s firing Bruce or are you just reading into it what you want to see happpen? Ted was laying the blame on everybody in that blog, including himself. Leonsis is the consumate businessman. If he were really going to fire Bruce, that would be the last way he would do it.
I didn’t say he’s firing him, I’m saying it’s certainly not out of the question.
2009-2010 Washington Capitals: Watery, with a smack of ham.
they’re not firing the guy who just led the team to best regular season in history no matter what happened in the playoffs
Ted Nolan, Ron Wilson, Pat Burns and Joel Quenneville all say hi.
2009-2010 Washington Capitals: Watery, with a smack of ham.
by D'ohboy on Apr 29, 2010 3:57 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
All coaches who led their teams to significant regular season success but were fired, primarily for playoff underperformance.
Nolan, Burns and Quenneville all won the Jack Adams and were fired within 3 years (you can add Bill Barber to this list as well). Burns on two occasions. Quenneville led the Blues to their one and only Presidents’ Trophy (sound familiar), but was fired when the team couldn’t get over the hump.
The fact is, these kind of firings happen all the time in the NHL.
2009-2010 Washington Capitals: Watery, with a smack of ham.
And of Nolan, Burns and Quenneville, how many were fired by Leonsis? No doubt there are plenty of owners in hockey with very short fuses. The point I’m making is that Leonsis isn’t one of them. And if you think he’s going to suddenly change and dump Bruce because of this loss, you’re going to be disappointed.
And if you think it’s all just this loss, you’re mistaken.
2009-2010 Washington Capitals: Watery, with a smack of ham.
by D'ohboy on Apr 29, 2010 4:12 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
This is going nowhere. If Bruce is fired, I’ll be the first to say I was wrong. If Bruce is coaching the team in October, you do the same.
"It doesn’t validate anything," Boudreau said. "This is the way we are built. If we had to make all these guys into checkers and play a trap game, I think it would have been a pretty boring team to watch and we wouldn’t have been anywhere near successful as we were."
You weren’t successful by the only measure that matters.
It was a clear shot across Boudreau’s bow and it was necessary. In my post-game rage I was more “Fire Boudreau” but now I am more in the camp that Boudreau needs help. His system certainly works — there were plenty of teams that ran the trap against the Capitals and plenty of teams that couldn’t succeed with the trap against them.
Montreal certainly ran it to perfection — Boudreau clearly had no idea how to adapt to it. There are plenty of guys floating around from the bad ol’ days of the mid-late 90s and on that had plenty of time to play against the Devils. You go looking for them now and find a guy who can run a good PK. The Caps are still the most talented team top to bottom in the league, period. There’s plenty of wiggle room in the cap and plenty of talent ready to come up to the NHL.
Either way, Boudreau’s system worked. Had the Capitals gotten past the Habs, it would have been a deep run. I guess it is time to keep perspective that the Caps/Boudreau turned a speed bump into a mountain.
All the king's horses and all the king's men
Couldn't put Humpty together again
I’ve said this for the last two years: the Caps have serious problems with two things:
1) really aggressive forechecks and,
2) trap + great goaltending.
I can still remember the game last year when a Rick Nash-less BJ’s squad shut us out on home ice behind Steve Mason. We also struggled against the Devils this year. BB likes his top lines to create off the rush. We got almost none of that in this series.
2009-2010 Washington Capitals: Watery, with a smack of ham.
Forechecking is still kind of scary because Green makes very aggressive passes, still. I think that is why I really want a puck moving defender who can allow the team to ignore the forecheck when he is on the ice. Odds are any given year in the playoffs there will be more teams running aggressive forechecking than the trap, I hope it isn’t overlooked.
All the king's horses and all the king's men
Couldn't put Humpty together again
Montreal certainly ran it to perfection — Boudreau clearly had no idea how to adapt to it.
I’m not sure this is true. Beating the trap, unpleasant as it may be, isn’t rocket science. But for whatever reason, the Capitals didn’t do what they needed to, and Bruce didn’t seem to think they needed to make changes.
For me, the lasting image of this series and post-season will be Ovie repeatedly cutting back to center ice from left to right and running smack into 4 Habs defenders.
2009-2010 Washington Capitals: Watery, with a smack of ham.
Yeah, of all the talent this team has I’d say Ovechkin is best to just simply bowl through the trap. He’s always going to be a magnet for defenders, might as well create a logjam deeper in than giving it up barely over the blue line.
All the king's horses and all the king's men
Couldn't put Humpty together again
The third and fourth lines dumped and got pressure – they just didn’t have the hands to capitalize on the chances they generated.
The second line was so useless with Semin and Flash out there that there was zero hope for them sustaining any sort of pressure.
The first line resolutely refused to play simple hockey, and then when they did, they kept losing puck battles on the boards.
The fact that the bottom two lines were willing and able and the top two lines weren’t tells me something, but I haven’t figured out what. yet.
"You want to start being part of the Rink? Fine, but more’s expected of you than John/Jane Cap Fan. Carry the cause of informed discussion to the unwashed masses and don’t crap in the yards of other SBN sites if you decide to go over there. They’re passionate about their teams too, no need to troll elsewhere and/or be a sore winner." --BP
They ran a neutral zone trap, and when cycling in their zone played a stacked slot defense.
However, once the game was ramping up, and we started to break through, they would go to a flat 4. 1 man forechecking, and 4 guys sitting at the blueline waiting for the puck to come down the ice. Our biggest strength is transition game, we got to do none of that.
Another one of our huge strengths, were face-off plays. In their zone however, they stacked the middle slot and just pushed the play out. They gave up dozens of low % shots and let Halak save them, or they would hit the defender. They set up camp infront of the crease, and dared us to come in
And that was the way season ended; not with a bang, but a whimper.
I think a lot of this could be settled with a little honest introspection...
Like the kind found here. Just sayin’ this could be a real good thing in the long run… just imagine if we went farther with all our “hidden issues.” Then you’re talking about seasons of perpetually ignoring Cup-prohibiting inadequacies like only one stay-at-home defenseman.
How many Cups did we win with Langway and Stevens again? Can anyone remind me?
2009-2010 Washington Capitals: Watery, with a smack of ham.
And again, the problem was a lack of scoring and inability to adapt to thwart an opponent’s style of play.
Calder Cup gon' get Perreaultwned
Yeah, in a perfect twist of irony the offense came up short this year and the defense played pretty well. Especially Tom Poti.
All the king's horses and all the king's men
Couldn't put Humpty together again
Montreal scored as much as they needed to. The PK was abysmal and when Montreal needed a goal, they got one. So I’m not inclined to give the D too much of a pass.
"You want to start being part of the Rink? Fine, but more’s expected of you than John/Jane Cap Fan. Carry the cause of informed discussion to the unwashed masses and don’t crap in the yards of other SBN sites if you decide to go over there. They’re passionate about their teams too, no need to troll elsewhere and/or be a sore winner." --BP
A Few Good Players
(Ted’s Office, April 29, 2010 )
Discussion on Possible Courses of Action
Trade a player or two? Yes I suppose you’re right. I suppose that’s the thing to do.
Wait. Wait. I’ve got a better idea. Let’s trade the whole roster out of Washington. Let’s — on second thought-the franchise. The whole organization, let’s transfer it out of Washington. Bruce, go on out there and get those boys out of the locker room, they’re packing their bags.
George! Get me Bettman on the phone, we’re dissolving our franchise in the NHL
…
Wait a minute, George.
Don’t call Bettman just yet. Maybe we should consider this for a second.
Maybe—and I’m just spit balling here-but maybe we as a franchise have a responsibility to improve the players on our team.
Maybe we have a responsibility to our fans to see that the men charged with securing success are trained professionals. Yes. I’m certain I once read that somewhere. And now I’m
thinking that your suggestion of trading players, while expeditious, and certainly painless, might not be in a manner of speaking, the modern Capitals way.
Our players stays where they are. We’re gonna train them. You’re in charge, Bruce.
The team doesn’t make it to the Conference Championships this next season, I’m gonna blame you. Then I’m gonna kill you.
Party in Wawota tonight! Per Chris Burton and Twitter, Brooksie to Team Canada for the Worlds. w00t. A Laich Team Canada sweater would look pretty sweet.
Hamhuis already turned them down.
On the Forecheck/Twitter/CLS
"What do you think this is? Major League Baseball?"- Shea Weber
by Chris Burton on Apr 29, 2010 4:34 PM EDT up reply actions
Defensemen Karl Alzner and John Carlson played in Game 7 for the Washington Capitals against the Montreal Canadiens Wednesday night. After the Caps’ stunning playoff elimination, the duo was reassigned to the Hershey Bears and flew from Reagan National Airport to Albany Thursday morning.
"It’s pretty cool to get the opportunity to be on a great team and to have a chance," Carlson said. "It [stinks] that we lost.
"I’m happy [to be back]. That’s what a hockey player does. We’ve got a great chance here and I think we’ll make the most of it."
The odyssey continues for John Carlson but I’d rather see him at Worlds than with the Bears. I have to believe that I am utterly delusional if I believe that John Carlson is ready for Worlds. Don’t know the league that well.
A real American hero...taking down Habs one game at a time
With a lot of the NHL’s top talent either in the playoffs or declining a Worlds roster spot, Carlson can get in there, and hold his own too, I bet.
What a whirlwind for him. January winning WJC gold, and in May…WC gold?
Cидни Kросби: Александр Oвечкин, он твой папа теперь
Capitals Coming: for Capitals fans who can bear reading something less intelligent than a story at Japers' Rink
by red army line on Apr 29, 2010 7:04 PM EDT up reply actions
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Southeast Standings
| GP | W | L | OTL | PT | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Florida
|
53 | 25 | 17 | 11 | 61 |
|
Washington
|
54 | 28 | 21 | 5 | 61 |
|
Winnipeg
|
56 | 26 | 24 | 6 | 58 |
|
Tampa Bay
|
53 | 23 | 24 | 6 | 52 |
|
Carolina
|
55 | 20 | 25 | 10 | 50 |
(updated 2.10.2012 at 9:27 AM EST)
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